LIBRARY  OF  THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


PRINCETON,     N.    J. 


Section...u.L...O../^ 


REV    PROF.  CHARLES   A.   HAY,   D.  D 

Born  February   11,  1821        Died  June  26,  1893. 


HISTORY 


Evangelical  Lutheran  Synod 


EAST   PENNSYLVANIA, 


BRIEF  SKETCHES  OF  ITS  CONGREGATIONS. 


PUBLISHED  BY  THE  SYNOD  IN  COMMEMORATION  OF 
ITS  SEMI-CENTENNIAL  ANNIVERSARY. 


1842-1892. 


PHILADELPHIA  : 

LUTHERAN  PUBLICATION  SOCIETY. 


•JSuilt  upon  tbc  foundation  of  tl)r  apostles  anil  propbrts,  ^fceus 
Cbi'tst  himself  bcinjj  tlje  cl)irf  Cornerstone. — Ephesians  ii.  20. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

I.    Preface 5 

II.  Programme  of  Semi-Centennial  Celebration  (including 
Brief  Historical  Notes,  Order  of  Exercises,  and  Jubilee 
Poem) 7 

III.  Historical  Sketch  of  the  Synod 15 

IV.  Table  of  Synodical  Meetings  and  Officers 47 

V.    Sketches  of  Congregations 49 

VI.    Statistical  Table,   Showing   the   Progress    of    Synod    by 

Decades 323 

VII.    Parochial  Reports  for  the  Year  Ending  September,  1892.  324 

VIII.    Register  of  Pastors 338 

IX.    Index  of  Churches  and  Pastoral  Charges 369 

X.    Constitution  of   Synod,  as  Amended  September,  1892 373 

(3) 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAGE 

1.  Portrait  of  Prof.  Charles  A.  Hay,  D.  D Frontispiece 

2.  Engraving  of  the  Hill  Union  Church,  near  Annville,  Pa 58 

3.  Engraving  of  the  First  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  and  Parsonage, 

Annville,  Pa 61 

4.  Engraving  of  St.  Paul's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  Allentown,  Pa.  79 

5.  Engraving  of  Zion's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  Manheim,  Pa..  . .  111 

6.  Engraving  of  St.  Matthew's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  Philadel- 

phia, Pa 142 

7.  Engraving  of  St.  Matthew's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  Reading,  Pa.   160 

8.  Engraving  of  the  English  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  and   Parson- 

age, Pottsville,  Pa 172 

9.  Engraving  of  St.  Peter's  Ev.  Lutheran  Church,  Riegelsville,  Pa 187 

10.  Engraving  of  Zion  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  Lykens,  Pa 196 

11.  Engraving  of  St.  John's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  Lancaster,  Pa.   206 

12.  Engraving   of   Seventh   Street   Evangelical    Lutheran   Church,  Leba- 

non, Pa 208 

13.  Engraving  of  St.  James'  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  and   Parson- 

age, Ashland,  Pa 216 

14.  Engraving  of  St.  Matthew's  Evangelical  Lutheran   Church  and  Par- 

sonage, Schuylkill  Haven,  Pa 221 

15.  Engraving  of  Messiah  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  Philadelphia,  Pa.  239 

16.  Engraving  of  St.  Faul's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  Easton,  Pa...  250 

17.  Engraving  of  Calvary  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  West  Philadel- 

phia, Pa 2C9 

18.  Engraving  of  St.   Stephen's   Evangelical   Lutheran  Church,  Lancas- 

ter, Pa -261 

19.  Engraving  of  St.  Peter's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  Easton,  Pa. . .    263 

20.  Engraving  of  St.  John's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  Steelton,  Pa. . .    267 

21.  Engraving  of  Bethany  Ev.  Lutheran  Church,  Philadelphia,  Pa 280 

22.  Engraving  of  Bethlehem  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  Harrisburg,  Pa.  285 

23.  Engraving  of  Immanuel  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  Norwood,  Pa.  288 

24.  Engraving  of  St.  Matthew's  Ev.  Lutheran  Chapel,  Allentown,  Pa..  ..    292 

25.  Engraving  of  Trinity  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  Coatesville,  Pa.  .    300 

26.  Engraving  of   Ebenezer  Evangelical   Lutheran  Church,  Berbice,  Brit- 

ish Guiana,  S.  A 313 

(4) 


PREFACE. 


In  addition  to  the  Historical  Address  delivered  at  the  celebra- 
tion of  the  semi-centennial  anniversary  of  the  Synod,  it  has  been 

thought  best,  in  the  exercise  of  the   liberty  given  the  committee 

« 
by  Synod,  to  publish  a  brief  sketch  of  every  congregation  now  in 

our  connection,   and  also  a   few  general   tables  illustrating  the 

progress  and  present  condition  of  the  Synod,  concluding  with 

the  amended  form  of  constitution  and  by-laws,  as  adopted  at  the 

late  convention  in  Lancaster. 

The  separate  sketches,  prepared  by  the  respective  pastors  or 
under  their  direction,  display  great  diversity  in  compass  and 
style.  The  incompleteness  of  old  records  is  lamented  by  many 
of  the  writers,  and  their  entire  loss  by  others.  The  committee, 
having  free  access  to  the  invaluable  treasures  of  the  Lutheran 
Historical  Society  at  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  has  endeavored,  by  the  use 
of  these  and  by  direct  correspondence,  to  supply  as  far  as  possi- 
ble the  more  essential  details  inaccessible  to  local  authorities. 
The  final  proof  of  the  sketches,  thus  amended,  has  in  every  case 
been  submitted  to  the  accredited  authors  for  approval. 

The  record  of  events  closes  with  the  completion  of  the  various 
manuscripts  within  the  period  intervening  between  the  session  of 
Synod  in  September  and  the  close  of  the  year  1892.  The  pres- 
ent rapid  development  of  our  churches  is  constantly  furnishing 
new  items  of  interest,  and  many  such  have  been  offered  to  the 
committee  as  this  work  has  been  passing  through  the  press  ;  but 
justice  to  all  has  compelled  the  rigid  exclusion  of  additional  ma- 
terial.    It  is  earnestly  hoped  that   pastors  and   church   councils 

(5) 


are  preserving  full  and  accurate  accounts  of  these  events  for  the 
future  historian. 

The  illustrations  embodied  are  such  as  were  furnished  by  the 
respective  congregations  in  response  to  request  of  the  commit- 
tee, as  published  in  the  church  papers  and  included  in  circular 
letter  addressed  to  each  pastor.  It  is  matter  for  regret  that  not 
all  our  pastorates  have  availed  themselves  of  the  opportunity 
thus  afforded. 

The  Clerical  Register  was  formed  by  a  careful  collation  of  the 
manuscripts  presented,  and  embodies  also  in  condensed  form  the 
results  of  further  investigation  and  correspondence.  It  is  be- 
lieved that  it  will  be  found  generally  accurate. 

Many  pastors,  in  forwarding  their  manuscripts,  have  taken 
occasion  to  express  their  gratitude  to  the  Synod  for  instituting 
the  work  of  investigation.  It  appears  to  have  awakened  a 
deeper  interest  in  the  local  churches,  and  stimulated  pastors  and 
people  to  greater  effort  to  maintain  and  improve  the  precious 
heritage  received  from  the  fathers.  May  the  publication  of  our 
little  volume  tend  to  cultivate  this  spirit,  and  thus  promote  the 
prosperity  of  Zion. 

The  death  of  the  Synodical  Historian  having  occurred  just  as 
our  work  was  passing  through  the  press,  it  has  been  thought  fitting 
to  present  to  the  reader,  on  the  second  page,  a  life-like  portrait- 
ure of  the  familiar  countenance.  No  one  felt  a  keener  interest  in 
the  welfare  of  our  Synod  than  did  Dr.  Hay,  and  his  sudden  de 
parture  is  most  widely  deplored.  The  memory  of  his  gentle 
spirit,  his  unfailing  enthusiasm  and  his  simple  faith  will  long  linger 
as  an  inspiration,  and  his  influence  will  still  be  felt  at  our  annual 

gatherings. 

Henry  S.  Boner, 

Chas.  E.  Hay, 

M.  Coover, 

Committee. 


]w     1842.  **  1892.    ' 

Jubilee  Celebration 


Evangelical  Lutheran  Synod 


East    Pennsylvania, 


HELD    IN 


^^i  St.  John's  Church,  &^f^> 

(REV    B.   F.  ALLEMAN,   D.  D.,   Pastor.) 

LANCASTER,    PA., 

Thursday  Evening,  September  22,  1592. 


Lutheran    Publication    house    print. 


The 
Evangelical 
Lutheran  Synod  of 
East  Pennsylvania  is  one  ot 
the  twenty-six  District  Synods  now- 
constituting  the  General  Synod.     Its  congre- 
gations are  found  in  13  counties  in  the  southeastern 
part  of  the  State;  and  in  these  counties  there  exist  also  numerous 
congregations  connected  with  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania.    In  all,  there 
are  8  Synods  within  the  bounds  of  this  State,  besides  scattered  congregations 
belonging  to  other  Synods.     The  Minutes  of  1891  report,  for  the  Synod 
of  East  Pennsylvania,  85  Ministers,  117  Congregations,  14 
Preaching  Stations,  and  18,766  Communing  Members. 
The  entire  Lutheran  Church  in  this  country  con- 
tains now,  approximately,  5,200  Min- 
isters, g,cco  Congregations, 
and  1,200,000  Com- 
muning Mem- 
bers. 


IlMtplical    iMthejari    JJyriQcl 

OF    EA5T    PENNSYLVANIA 

was  formally  organized,  and  the  name  adopted,  in  the  lecture-room  of  Trinity 
Church,  Lancaster,  May  3d,  1842. 

There  were  present  on  that  day,  and  participating  in  the  movement,  nine 
ministers  and  two  laymen,  who  had  retired  for  the  purpose  from  the  Synod  of 
Pennsylvania,  then  in  session  at  that  Church. 

The  first  annual  meeting  was  held  in  St.  Peter's  Church,  Pikeland,  Chester 
County— where  the  President,  Rev.  Frederick  Ruthrauff,  was  the  pastor — be- 
ginning October  15th,  1842,  within  a  few  days  of  fifty  years  ago.  At  that 
session  the  Constitution  was  framed. 

In  the  meantime,  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago,  the  organizing  of  the  Susque- 
hanna Synod  cut  off  a  large  part  of  this  Synod's  territory.  That  Synod  now 
presents  a  statistical  showing,  in  the  number  of  ministers,  etc.,  equal  to  half 
that  of  this  body. 

The  places  and  dates  of  all  the  annual  meetings,  together  with  the  names  of 
officers,  are  printed  from  year  to  year,  in  tabular  form,  in  the  Synodical  Minutes. 


PRESIDING  OFFICER, 


Rev.  M.  SHEELEIGH,  D.D. 


ORGAN  VOLUNTARY— ANTHEM:   "  Before  Jehovah's  Awful  Throne." 

Dr.  Madan. 


INVOCATION, 


Bv  Rev.  J.  H.  MENGES. 


HYMN  :  No.  33  in  Book  of  Worship— "  Thee  We  Adore,  Eternal  Lord." 

READING  OF  SCRIPTURE:  Psalm  xlvi.,  and  1  Corinthians,  iii. 

Bv  the  President  of  the  Synod. 


PRAYER, 


By  Rev.  D.  M.  Gilbert,  D.  D. 


ANTHEM:  "How  Beautiful  Upon  the  Mountains."        :        L.  O.  Emerson. 


HISTORICAL  ADDRESS, 


By  Rev.  Prof.  C.  A.  HAY,  D.  D. 


ANTHEM:  Thanksgiving, 


Novello. 


HISTORICAL  REMINISCENCES,      :      By  Rev.  W.  M.  BAUM,  D.  D. 
Rev.  L.  E.  ALBERT,  D.  D.,  Rev.  E.  S.  HENRY. 

FIVE-MINUTE  VOLUNTARY  ADDRESSES. 


ANTHEM  :  "  I  Will  Sing  of  the  Mercies  of  the  Lord." 


A.J.  Abbey. 


PRAYER, 


By  Rev.  S.  A.  HOLMAN,  D.  D. 


DOXOLOGY  :  "  Praise  God,  from  Whom  All  Blessings  Flow." 


BENEDICTION, 


Rev.  W.  L.  HEISLER. 


lr'OEM  : 

BY   REV.  MATTHIAS  SHEELEIGH,  D.   D. 


John  iv.  38. — "  Other  men  labored,  and  ye  are  entered  into  their  labors." — The  Saviour. 
1  Corinthians  iii.  10.—"  I  have  laid  the  foundation,  and  another  buildeth  thereon.     But 
let  every  man  take  heed  how  he  buildeth  thereupon." — St.  Paul. 


As  roll  the  planets  in  their  spheres, 
We  note  the  signs  of  circling  years, 
That,  measured  out,  'neath  God's  decree, 
Extend  from  birth  to  Jubilee. 

Yet  not  in  skyey  space  alone, 
But  here  as  well,  in  earthly  zone, 
Within  His  Church's  light  and  grace, 
The  doings  of  the  Lord  we  trace. 

At  length,  full  fifty  years  have  sped 
Since  hopefully  were  fathers  led, 
In  wisdom  sought  above  their  own, 
To  lay  in  faith  a  corner-stone. 

To-day,  as  from  this  holy  place 
Is  viewed  our  Synod's  goodly  base, 
'Tis  ours,  as  in  the  years  agone, 
To  heed  how  we  should  build  thereon. 


Here  long  may  their  successors  build, 
With  faith  and  zeal  from  heaven  tilled, 
While  fathers  in  their  glory  bend, 
Watching  this  temple  fair  extend  ! 

As  now  in  praise  we  bow  us  down 
For  mercies  that  our  being  crown, 
Honored  those  early  men,  and  true, 
Who  "  builded  better  than  they  knew." 

Could  those  for  Christ  who  labored  here 
Ring  out  with  ours  their  praises  clear, 
To-day  how  would  they  tell  abroad 
Of  work  performed  for  man  and  God  ! 

Like  some  cathedral  early  planned, 
A  joy  and  wonder  through  the  land, 
And  on  whose  height  shall  future  eyes 
With  shoutings  hail  the  capstone  rise, — 

So,  on  our  Synod,  good  and  blest, 
Long  may  God's  benediction  rest, 
While  gladdened  eyes  from  many  a  home 
View  rising  wall  and  rounding  dome. 

When  all  our  work  on  earth  is  o'er, 
With  faithful  fathers,  gone  before, 
"  Not  unto  us,"  may  we  exclaim, 
"  But  glory  to  Thy  holy  Name  ! " 


"~^lh" 


"Ibitbcrto  batb  tbc  XorD  belpeD  us."— i  Samuel  vii.  12. 
"£be  %ovZ>  Dotb  butlD  up  Jerusalem."— Psalm  cxlvii.  2. 


—$k~ 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


BY  REV.  PROF.  CHARLES  A.  HAY,  D.  D. 


At  the  meeting  of  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod  held  in  1891 
at  Middletown,  Pa.,  the  President,  Rev.  W.  H.  Dunbar,  in  his  official 
report,  called  attention  to  the  fact  that  we  were  on  the  eve  of  the 
semi-centennial  year  of  our  existence  as  a  Synod,  and  suggested 
that  "it  might  be  a  matter  of  wisdom,  as  well  as  of  interest,  to 
take  some  steps  looking  to  a  permanent  record  of  events  in  the 
history  of  our  Synod  and  its  congregations."  He  also  suggested 
to  Synod  "  the  propriety  of  the  appointment  of  a  Synodical  His- 
torian for  this  purpose." 

The  Synod  subsequently  approved  of  this  suggestion  and  re- 
solved to  celebrate  the  semi-centennial  anniversary  at  the  next 
meeting  of  Synod  and  to  appoint  such  a  Historian,  "  who  shall  pre- 
pare a  history  of  the  Synod,  and  so  far  as  possible  brief  histories 
of  its  congregations,  the  history  of  Synod  to  be  read  at  the  semi- 
centennial anniversary,  and  all  this  historical  matter  to  be  after- 
wards published  and  then  preserved  in  the  archives  of  Synod." 

Having  been  appointed  by  the  Synod  as  its  Historian,  I  have 
carefully  examined  the  published  minutes  of  its  proceedings,  and 
other  accessible  publications  throwing  light  upon  its  history,  and 
herewith  present  a  brief  sketch  of  its  origin  and  of  some  of  the 
features  of  its  subsequent  development  and  efficiency. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Pennsylvania  Ministerium  held  in  Lan- 
caster, May  22  to  26,  1842,  a  memorial  was  presented  by  a 
number  of  ministers  and   laymen,  members  of  the  Synod,  who 

(i5) 


1 5  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

had  on  the  day  before  held  a  meeting  and  discussed  the  propriety 
"of  forming  a  new  Synod  in  the  Eastern  district  of  Pennsylva- 
nia."    This  memorial  reads  as  follows  : 

"To  the  Reverend  Synod  of  Pennsylvania,  &f*c., 

Dear  Brethren: — We,  the  undersigned,  members  of  Pennsyl- 
vania Synod,  and  brethren  within  its  bounds,  respectfully  present 
the  following  memorial : 

i.  We  earnestly  ask  you  forthwith  to  take  measures  for  the 
amicable  division  of  the  Pennsylvania  Synod.  Our  reasons  for 
this  are  the  following  : 

(a)  Harmony  of  views  and  feelings  is  essential  to  the  success 
of  all  associations,  but  especially  of  all  Christian  associations,  in 
which  that  spirit  of  love  which  is  the  very  life  of  religion  must 
necessarily  suffer  if  this  be  wanting.  But  this  harmony  has  long 
been  wanting  among  us,  and  the  occurrences  of  every  year  seem 
to  make  the  prospect  of  its  restoration  still  worse.  We  believe 
that  a  separation  of  the  conflicting  elements  among  us  would,  by 
preventing  collision,  remove  the  evil.  One  cause  of  this  may 
have  been  the  next  reason  which  we  would  urge  as  a  ground  of 
division,  viz.  : 

(o)  The  largeness  of  our  present  synodical  body.  It  is  natural 
that  a  diversity  of  sentiment  should  prevail  where  so  many  men, 
differently  educated,  are  brought  into  go  close  connection  with 
each  other.  In  addition  to  this,  many  of  our  smaller  pastoral 
districts,  and  all  of  our  country  congregations,  are  deprived  of  the 
pleasure  and  profit  of  synodical  meetings,  by  their  being  unable 
to  entertain  so  many  members  as  our  Synod  contains. 

(c)  Difference  of  language  is  another  difficulty  that  now  clogs 
our  synodical  proceedings.  Many  of  our  churches  are  unable  to 
participate  in  our  meetings,  from  their  ignorance  of  the  language 
in  which  our  deliberations  are  conducted.  Synod  having  declared 
its  determination  to  abide  by  the  use  of  one  language,  there  seems 
an  obvious  call  for  the  organization  of  a  body  that  will  admit  the 
indiscriminate  use  of  the  German  and  English. 

(d)  A  difference  of  views  in  regard  to  the  General  Synod  and 
its  institutions  is  another  cause  of  difficulty  for  which  this  would 
be  a  remedy. 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  I  7 

(<?)  The  new  or  revised  constitution  threatens  to  exclude  a 
number  of  us,  and  to  prevent  others  from  entering  the  Synod,  who 
can  never  pledge  ourselves  to  some  of  its  principles  by  subscrib- 
ing it  in  the  manner  which  it  requires. 

It  is  not  necessary  that  we  should  go  into  detailed  argument 
upon  the  various  points  to  which  we  object,  but  we  may  simply 
state,  that  we  are  unwilling  to  subscribe  any  such  system  of  church 
government.  We  cannot  bind  ourselves  to  the  constant  use  of 
any  liturgy,  and  especially  of  one  which  we  have  never  seen,  or 
had  sufficient  opportunity  to  examine  ;  and,  finally,  we  cannot 
submit  to  the  distinctions  made  between  our  American  and  For- 
eign ministers  and  institutions,  in  favor  of  the  latter. 

2.  We  ask  that  this  division  be  made  upon  the  principles  of 
Christian  freedom,  and  that  each  minister  and  church  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Synod  be  left  at  perfect  liberty  to  select  the  synodi- 
cal  body  with  which  they  will  associate  themselves. 

3.  Whilst  we  claim  a  fair  proportion  of  all  the  funds  and  lega- 
cies belonging  to  Synod,  we  desire  also  to  co-operate  in  the  For- 
eign Mission  established  by  Synod. 

4.  We  desire  to  establish  the  most  fraternal  relations,  and 
maintain  mutual  good  will  between  the  two  bodies  thus  created. 
And  we  pray  that  the  blessing  of  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church 
may  rest  upon  us  all,  and  prosper  all  our  plans  for  the  advance- 
ment of  his  cause  and  glory. 

All  which  is  respectfully  submitted,  with  a  request  for  immedi- 
ate action,  by  your  brethren  in  Christ. 

F.  RUTHRAUFF, 
J.  RUTHRAUFF, 
W.  M.  REYNOLDS, 
S.  D.  FlNCKEL, 

G.  Heilig, 

F.  R.  Anspach, 
T.  Stork, 

D.   KOHLER, 

J.  WlLLOX, 

J.  VOGELBACH, 

J.  L.  Frederick, 

G.  Hartman, 
—  Haddon. 

2 


1 8  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

The  minutes  of  that  meeting  of  the  Pennsylvania  Synod  state 
that  "The  committee  on  the  memorial  reported  that  it  was  not 
expedient  to  divide  the  Synod,  and  that  the  memorialists  be  re- 
quested to  consider  more  maturely  the  subject  of  separation  and 
be  entreated  to  remain  in  connection  with  the  Pennsylvania 
Synod.  After  an  animated  discussion  of  this  report,  in  which 
many  of  the  brethren  participated,  the  Synod  finally  resolved  that 
we  can  in  no  wise  consent  to  a  division  of  this  body ;  but,  should 
any  brethren  consider  it  desirable  to  separate  from  us,  an  honor- 
able dismission  shall  be  given  them  as  individuals,  if  they  so  re- 
quest." 

From  the  published  minutes  of  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod  we 
learn  that  "The  memorialists,  being  unsuccessful  in  their  efforts 
to  secure  an  amicable  division  of  the  Synod,  then  withdrew  to  the 
Lutheran  lecture-room.  The  following  brethren  were  present : 
Rev.  Messrs.  F.  Ruthrauff,  J.  Ruthrauff,  W.  M.  Reynolds,  G. 
Heilig,  F.  R.  Anspach,  J.  Willox,  T.  Stork,  J.  Vogelbach,  W. 
Laitzle  and  the  lay  delegates,  J.  L.  Frederick  and  G.  Hartman. 
Rev.  F.  Ruthrauff  was  appointed  Chairman  and  T.  Stork  Secre- 
tary.    Opened  with  prayer  by  the  Chairman.     On  motion 

Resolved,  That  we  organize  ourselves  into  a  Synod,  to  be  called 
The  Evangelical  Lutheran  Synod  of  East  Pennsylvania ;  and 
adopt  for  the  present  the  constitution  of  the  General  Synod,  with 
such  alterations  as  may  from  time  to  time  be  necessary." 

Another  meeting  was  held  on  the  following  day,  when  "  the 
members  spent  some  time  in  familiar  colloquy  upon  the  subject 
of  new  measures.  After  a  free  and  full  interchange  of  sentiment, 
in  which  there  seemed  to  be  essential  unanimity,  it  was  deemed 
advisable  that  public  expression  should  be  given  to  the  views 
entertained  by  this  Synod,  in  order  to  define  our  position  on  a 
subject  so  liable  to  misconstruction.  It  was,  therefore,  on  motion 
of  T.  Stork, 

Resolved,   That,  whilst  we  disapprove   of  all    disorderly  and 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  1 9 

fanatical  proceedings  in  religious  worship,  and  in  protracted 
efforts  for  the  salvation  of  souls,  we  cordially  commend  the  most 
decisive  and  energetic  measures  for  the  conversion  of  sinners  and 
edification  of  the  Church,  adhering  strictly  to  the  admonition  of 
the  apostle,  that  'all  things  be  done  decently  and  in  order.'  " 

The  first  regular  meeting  of  the  Synod  was  held  in  St.  Peter's 
church,  Chester  county,  where  it  assembled  on  the  15th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1842.  At  this  meeting  the  Synod  numbered  twelve  pas- 
tors, with  twenty-four  congregations ;  it  resolved  to  connect  itself 
with  the  General  Synod  ;  adopted  the  Liturgy  then  published  by 
the  Pennsylvania  Synod  ;  approved  a  proposed  device  for  a  syn- 
odical  seal,  viz.,  an  eye  fixed  upon  an  open  Bible,  surrounded  by 
the  words,  "The  Bible  our  Creed — God  our  yudge"  and  it  ap- 
pointed a  delegate  to  represent  it  at  the  next  meeting  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Synod. 

The  second  annual  meeting  was  held  in  St.  Matthew's  church, 
Philadelphia,  October  21,  1843,  when,  at  the  calling  of  the  roll, 
every  member  was  present,  numbering  eighteen  ministers  after 
admitting  Rev.  Messrs.  J.  P.  Schindel,  G.  Diehl,  D.  F.  Finckel, 
Daniel  Miller,  John  McCron  and  Eli  Swartz.  Fourteen  lay  dele- 
gates were  present.  Delegates  were  received  from  several  synods 
connected  with  the  General  Synod,  viz.,  Hartwick,  Maryland  and 
West  Pennsylvania. 


Among  the  topics  of  special  interest  to  a  student  of  the  history 
of  our  Synod  is,  first  of  all,  its  Relation  to  the  German  Minisier- 
ium  of  Pennsylvania  and  Adjacent  States  and  Territories,  now 
commonly  known  as  the  Pennsylvania  Synod.  This  Synod  origi- 
nated, as  has  been  already  shown,  in  the  secession  from  the 
Pennsylvania  Synod  by  a  few  of  the  regular  members  of  that 
body,  for  reasons  assigned  in  the  memorial  already  cited,  and  it 
gave  practical  proof  of  its  desire  to  maintain  friendly  relations 


20  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

with  the  Pennsylvania  Synod  by  sending  to  it  in  1843  as  an  ac- 
credited delegate  one  of  its  most  active  members,  the  Rev.  The- 
ophilus  Stork.  At  the  next  meeting  of  this  Synod  Rev.  Stork 
reported  as  follows  :  "  In  obedience  to  appointment  I  attended 
the  last  meeting  of  the  Pennsylvania  Synod,  held  in  St.  Paul's 
church,  Philadelphia,  as  the  delegate  of  this  body.  The  appoint- 
ment of  a  delegate  at  this  time  was  not  simply  a  matter  of  eccle- 
siastical courtesy,  but  was  designed,  if  possible,  to  conciliate  the 
adverse  elements  of  the  two  Synods,  and  establish  fraternal  rela- 
tions. We  felt  that,  both  bodies  being  professedly  Lutheran,  and 
occupying  a  field  embracing  essentially  the  same  geographical 
limits,  it  was  exceedingly  desirable  that  we  should  maintain 
towards  each  other  the  most  amicable  relations,  believing  that, 
notwithstanding  our  differences  of  opinion  on  some  point?,  we 
might  still  as  Christians,  under  the  harmonizing  influence  of  love, 
live  together  as  brethren,  "  as  fellow-citizens  with  the  saints,  and 
of  the  household  of  God." 

"With  such  views  and  feelings  I  was  little  prepared  even  to 
apprehend  the  actual  result  of  my  mission." 

"The  first  session  of  Synod  was  opened  on  Monday  morning, 
the  1  2th  of  June.  When  the  delegates  from  other  Synods  were 
called  upon  to  present  their  credentials,  I  arose  and  stated  that  I 
had  been  appointed  a  delegate  from  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod 
to  the  Pennsylvania  Synod,  and  laid  a  certificate  from  the  Presi- 
dent attesting  my  commission,  together  with  the  printed  minutes, 
upon  the  table.  Dr.  Miller,  from  Reading,  immediately  arose, 
and,  after  some  preliminary  remarks  explanatory  of  the  ground 
he  was  about  to  assume,  offered  the  following  resolution,  which, 
after  some  discussion,  was  adopted  : 

'" Resolved,  That  we  cannot  recognize  brother  Stork  as  a  dele- 
gate, nor  that  body  as  a  Synod,  until  it  formally  recall  by  a  reso- 
lution the  accusations  made  against  this  body.' 

"  I   was  so  taken   by  surprise  that,   in   the  excitement  of  the 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  2  1 

moment,  I  did  not  realize  the  position  in  which  we  were  placed, 
and  said  nothing.  After  returning  home  and  reflecting  on  the 
transactions  of  the  morning,  I  felt  dissatisfied  under  a  conviction 
that  I  had  not  discharged  my  duty  as  the  representative 
of  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod.  I,  therefore,  returned  in  the 
afternoon  session,  and  obtained  permission  to  address  the  Synod. 
I  assured  them  that  we  desired  to  maintain  the  most  friendly 
relations  and  correspondence  with  them.  And  I  further  assured 
them  that,  if  we  had  injured  them  by  unjust  charges,  we  were 
ready  to  make  any  reasonable  concession,  and  to  recant  every 
charge  not  founded  in  fact ;  and  finally,  I  begged  them  to  specify 
the  charges  by  which  they  felt  themselves  so  aggrieved  as  to 
exclude  us  from  their  fraternal  regard.  I  asked  this,  that  the 
Church  might  understand  the  real  position  of  the  two  Synods, 
and  that  our  body  might  be  prepared  for  intelligent  action  at  its 
next  session. 

"  After  an  animated  discussion  they  passed  the  following  reso- 
lution in  answer  to  my  inquiry  : 

"  'Resolved,  That  the  accusations  of  the  Synod  of  East  Pennsyl- 
vania are  contained  in  that  circular,  and  in  all  their  after  pro- 
ceedings harmonizing  therewith.'     *     *     *     etc." 

The  Synod  of  East  Pennsylvania  expressed  its  entire  satisfac- 
tion with  the  course  pursued  by  its  delegate,  and,  on  motion  ot 
Prof.  Reynolds,  it  was 

"Resolved,  That  we  have  heard  with  regret  our  delegate's 
statement  of  the  failure  of  his  mission  to  the  Pennsylvania  Synod  ; 
and  that  we  are  still  desirous  of  establishing  friendly  relations 
with  that  body.  In  reply  to  the  resolutions  passed  by  them  rela- 
tive to  our  body,  we  can  merely  say,  that  they  suggest  no  means 
of  removing  the  difficulties  existing  between  us,  as  we  are  not 
aware  that  we  have,  in  any  of  our  proceedings,  said  or  sanctioned 
anything  that  can  be  considered  unchristian  or  unjust  to  the 
Pennsylvania  Synod.  As  soon,  however,,  as  aught  that  might  be 
so  construed  is  pointed  out  to  us,  we  shall  be  ready  to  recall  the 


2  2  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

offensive  word  or  act,  whichever  it  may  be,  so  far  as  in  our  power  ; 
or  to  give  such  explanations  as  comport  with  truth  and  propriety. 
Meanwhile  any  further  overtures  for  friendly  correspondence  will 
naturally  come  from  the  Pennsylvania  Synod — though  in  the 
meantime  we  shall  endeavor  to  'keep  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in 
the  bond  of  peace.'" 

For  several  years  after  this  the  proceedings  of  the  Synod  of 
East  Pennsylvania  were  not  printed  in  pamphlet  form,  and  the 
official  protocol  of  the  meetings  in  1844,  '45  and  '46,  we  regret 
to  say,  cannot  now  be  found  ;  but  from  an  abstract  of  the  minutes 
of  1845  (when  the  Synod  met  in  Lebanon),  published  by  the 
Secretary  in  the  Lutheran  Observer,  we  learn  that  in  that  year 
Rev.  Mr.  Ernst,  of  the  Pennsylvania  Synod,  was  received  as  an 
advisory  member  by  our  Synod,  in  proof  of  the  friendly  feeling 
on  the  part  of  this  Synod  towards  the  Pennsylvania  Ministerium. 

In  1847,  also>  at  tne  session  in  Germantown,  Rev.  S.  K.  Probst, 
of  the  Pennsylvania  Synod,  was  introduced  and  received  as  an 
advisory  member. 

In  184Q,  when  at  Reading,  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod 

"  Resolved,  That  we  sincerely  rejoice  in  the  approximation  to  a 
more  perfect  union  of  the  Church,  manifested  in  the  action  of 
the  Pennsylvania  Synod  relative  to  a  professorship  in  our  Theo- 
logical Seminary  at  Gettysburg  •  and  that  we  most  cordially  ap- 
prove of  the  action  of  the  Board  of  Directors  in  the  election  of 
Rev.  C.  R.  Demme,  D.  D.,  in  accordance  with  the  desire  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Synod,  and  that  we  should  be  highly  gratified  with 
his  acceptance  of  the  same." 

At  the  session  of  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod  in  /8jo,  at 
Easton,  four  members  of  the  Pennsylvania  Synod  (C.  W.  Schaeffer, 
Jeremiah  Schindel,  J.  W.  Richards  and  C.  A.  Hay),  anxious  to  bring 
about,  if  possible,  a  better  state  of  feeling  between  the  two  bodies, 
presented  a  memorial  on  that  subject,  which  was  referred  to  a 
large  committee,  who  reported  unanimously  as  follows  : 

"The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  a  memorial  from  four 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  23 

members  of  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania,  on  the  subject  of  the  es- 
trangement between  that  body  and  ourselves,  beg  leave  to  report : 

"That  they  examined  the  various  documents  put  into  their 
hands  bearing  on  this  subject.  Your  committee  rejoice  at  the 
prospect  of  establishing  more  friendly  relations  with  the  Synod  of 
Pennsylvania  ;  and  whereas,  those  four  brethren  in  their  memorial 
inform  us  that  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania  holds  this  body  respon- 
sible for  a  certain  anonymous  circular,  containing  charges  against 
the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania,  so  understood  by  that  body,  viz.  :  with 
a  design  on  the  part  of  said  Synod  to  introduce  into  their  connec- 
tion, by  a  constitutional  partiality,  ministers  from  Germany  who 
are  rationalistic,  unevangelical  or  infidel  in  their  sentiments,  and 
immoral  in  their  conduct,  and  to  do  injustice  to  brethren  born 
and  educated  in  this  country  ;  and  whereas,  we  desire  to  do  jus- 
tice to  ourselves  and  to  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania,  therefore  : 

"  Resolved,  That  we  deeply  regret  the  estrangement  that  has  so 
long  separated  us  from  the  brethren  of  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania. 

"  Resolved,  That  we  earnestly  desire  a  more  fraternal  connection 
with  that  body,  and  would  rejoice  to  open  a  correspondence  with 
them. 

"  Resolved,  That  we  never  did  hold  ourselves  responsible  for 
the  '  circular '  to  which  there  is  reference  in  a  resolution  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Synod  held  in  Philadelphia  in  1843,  and  in  the  me- 
morial of  those  four  members  addressed  to  us  ;  and  we  do  not  now 
acknowledge  that  document  as  an  expression  of  our  sentiments, 
but,  on  the  contrary,  most  heartily  disavow  the  offensive  senti- 
ments of  the  '  Circular '  pointed  out  in  the  memorial  of  the  four 
brethren,  and  regret  any  action  that  may  have  arisen  from  mis- 
conception." 

"  Respectfully  submitted,  G.  Diehl, 

F.  RUTHRAUFF, 

J.  McCron, 
R.  Weiser, 
J.  A.  Brown, 
J.  Winecoff, 
T.  Stork, 
A.  Wietin<;." 
After   an    animated    discussion,    the    report    was  unanimously 


24  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

adopted.  The  Synod  thereupon  appointed  the  Rev.  Messrs.  T. 
Stork,  F.  Ruihrauff  and  G.  Diehl  to  meet  the  Synod  of  Pennsyl- 
vania at  its  next  convention,  in  Allentown,  to  establish  friendly 
relations  and  to  open  a  correspondence  with  that  body.  At  that 
meeting  of  the  Pennsylvania  Synod  that  committee  was  most 
kindly  received,  and  the  Pennsylvania  Synod  unanimously 
adopted  the  following  resolutions  : 

"i.  That  this  Synod  cordially  responds  to  the  sentiments  on 
the  subject  of  Christian  fellowship  expressed  by  the  brethren  of 
the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod. 

"2.  That  we  fraternally  recognize  them  as  a  Synod  of  the 
Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  and  cordially  receive  their  repre- 
sentatives in  our  midst. 

"  3.  That  Synod,  from  this  time  forth,  appoint  a  delegate  to 
represent  this  body  in  the  Synod  of  East  Pennsylvania  upon  the 
same  terms  as  we  are  represented  in  the  sister  Synods  generally." 

The  East  Pennsylvania  Synod,  when  the  above-named  com- 
mittee (Stork,  Ruthrauff  and  Diehl)  had  reported  at  Danville  in 
1851, 

" Resolved,  That  we  have  heard,  with  the  greatest  pleasure, 
from  the  Committee  appointed  by  Synod  to  represent  this  body 
before  the  Pennsylvania  Synod,  of  their  cordial  reception  and 
successful  mission ;  and  that  we  most  fondly  hope,  earnestly  de- 
sire and  fervently  pray  that  the  fraternal  relations  thus  established 
may  be  perpetuated." 

"At  this  meeting  Rev.  W.  J.  Eyer  appeared  as  the  delegate  from 
the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania,  with  assurances  of  the  fraternal  feel- 
ings and  good  wishes  of  the  body  he  had  the  honor  to  represent. 
He  met  with  a  hearty  welcome  and  was  invited  to  take  his  seat 
among  us." 

At  the  meeting  of  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod  in  1852  the 
committee  entrusted  with  the  minutes  of  the  Pennsylvania  Synod 
of  the  same  year  report  as  follows  : 

"  Your  Committee  rejoice  that  this  Synod  have  passed  a  series 
of  resolutions  indicative  of  a  speedy  re-union  of  that  body  with 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  25 

the  General  Synod.  To  these  resolutions  we  are  led,  say  they, 
through  the  conviction  that  we  all  agree  in  Ihe  essential,  funda- 
mental doctrines  of  our  beloved  Mother  Church,  and  that  we  are 
therefore  prepared  for  an  outward  union,  from  which  we  can  ex- 
pect a  rich  blessing." 

Having  thus  accomplished  the  long-desired  reconciliation 
between  these  Synods,  occupying  the  territory  between  the  Dela- 
ware and  Susquehanna  rivers,  those  members  of  the  old  Penn- 
sylvania Synod  who  were  yearning  for  its  return  to  the  General 
Synod  now  bent  their  energies  in  this  direction,  and  their  efforts 
were  crowned  with  success  in  the  spring  of  1853,  when,  at  its 
meeting  of  that  year  in  Reading,  it  determined  to  re-unite  with 
the  General  Synod,  which  it  had  helped  to  organize  in  1820,  and 
from  which  it  had  been  so  long  separated. 

This  having  now  been  accomplished,  and  these  two  Synods 
being  now  harmoniously  associated  in  the  same  general  body, 
there  seemed  tu  be  no  good  reason  why  they  should  not  actually 
coalesce,  instead  of  separately  spreading  over  this  mesopotamian 
territory,  and,  after  thus  combining  all  their  parishes,  peaceably 
divide  the  territory  between  them.  Accordingly,  a  proposition 
of  that  kind  was  made  to  the  Synod  of  East  Pennsylvania,  at 
the  meeting  in  1853,  by  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania  Synod, 
which  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  a  committee,  whose  report, 
after  considerable  discussion,  and  after  the  offering  of  various 
amendments,  which  were  rejected,  was  adopted  in  its  original 
form  as  follows  : 

"The  committee  on  Document  13  would  respectfully  report, 
that  said  document  is  a  communication  from  Rev.  Charles  Hay, 
suggesting  to  this  Synod  the  desirableness  of  taking  some  initi- 
atory steps  towards  securing  a  geographical  division  of  the  two 
Synods  ( Pennsylvania  Synod  and  East  Pennsylvania  Synod)  oc- 
cupying principally  the  same  ground.  In  reference  to  this  paper, 
your  Committee  would  say  : 

"  1.  That   they  are  not   able  to  understand    the  geographical 


26  FAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

chart  of  Brother  Hay,  which  he  has  submitted  to  our  inspection, 
and  consequently  they  are  not  prepared  to  pronounce  upon  its 
practicability. 

"2.  Your  Committee  are  of  opinion,  without  any  reference  to 
the  specific  form  of  division  suggested  in  this  paper,  that  such  a 
geographical  division  is  wholly  unfeasible. 

"3.  Besides,  we  can  see  no  valid  reason  for  such  a  division. 
We  should  rather  seek  a  still  greater  assimilation  of  spirit,  '  en- 
deavoring to  keep  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace,' 
realizing  '  how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  for  brethren  to 
dwell  together  in  unity.'  " 

"  4.  As  this  communication  is  not  official,  we  do  not  know 
that  it  demands  any  further  attention. 

T.  Stork, 
J.  Winecoff, 

D.  SlECK." 

Notwithstanding  this  rebuff,  the  agitation  of  this  subject  in 
both  these  Synods  was  not  allowed  to  subside,  but  both  were 
prevailed  upon  to  appoint  committees  instructed  to  give  the 
matter  a  careful  investigation. 

These  committees  met  in  Philadelphia  (at  Lindsay  &  Blaki- 
ston's  Book  Store),  in  1855,  agreeing  heartily  to  endorse  the  pro- 
posed plan  of  fusion  and  subsequent  geographical  division.  The 
Chairman  of  the  joint  committee,  Rev.  Benjamin  Keller,  accord- 
ingly presented  our  report  to  the  Pennsylvania  Synod  in  Lancaster 
in  1856,  recommending  a  special  meeting  of  the  East  Pennsyl- 
vania Synod  in  Philadelphia  in  1857,  when  the  Pennsylvania  Synod 
should  be  in  session  there,  and  the  holding  of  a  joint  meeting  of 
both  Synods  at  that  time  in  order  to  discuss  the  question  of  union 
and  subsequent  division  into  two  or  three  Synods.  To  the  sur- 
prise and  mortification  of  many  who  were  present  (members  of 
other  Synods  connected  with  the  General  Synod),  decided  opposi- 
tion to  this  report  was  made  by  some  of  the  most  influential 
members  of  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania.  Dr.  Demme  remarked  : 
"  Ich  bin  dagegen  ;  der  Geist  in  der  Ost-Pennsylvanischen  Synode 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  27 

ist  ein  anderer  !"  Dr.  Mann  remarked  :  "  Ich  bin  auch  dagegen  ; 
der  Apfel  ist  noch  nicht  reif ;  sonst  f.illt  er  von  selbst  vom 
Baume."  Mr.  Yeager,  of  Hamburg,  Pa.,  vehemently  asserted  : 
"Ich  bin  auch  dagegen;  dann  wird  alles  Englisch  !"  Then  Dr. 
C.  W.  Schaeffer  expressed  his  regret  that  such  a  spirit  was  mani- 
fested, but  he  said  it  was  evident  that  it  would  be  unwise  to  press 
the  matter  now,  as  the  Synod  was  not  yet  prepared  to  take  defi- 
nite action  in  regard  to  it.  It  was  on  his  motion  that  the  Synod 
resolved  :  "That  we  are  not  yet  prepared  to  take  definite  action 
in  this  matter." 

The  reports  of  the  Presidents  of  both  these  Synods  about  this 
time  called  attention  to  unpleasant  inter-synodical  disagreements 
and  interferences  on  the  part  of  the  pastors  and  congregations, 
and  a  joint  committeee  was  appointed  by  both  the  Synods  "  to 
draft  such  rules  in  reference  to  congregational  action  as  may 
secure  fraternal  love  and  harmony."  In  the  minutes  of  the  East 
Pennsylvania  Synod  of  1857,  we  read  that  "The  two  committees 
met  and,  after  a  very  full  and  friendly  interchange  of  opinions, 
concluded  that  no  such  rules  as  would  effectually  remedy  existing 
evils  could  be  drafted,  and  that  some  degree  of  confusion,  with 
occasional  unpleasant  influences  or  collisions,  is  unavoidable,  so 
long  as  the  two  Synods  continue  to  occupy  in  common  the  same 
ground."  Whereupon  the  committee  submitted  the  following 
proposition  : 

"  Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  —  ministers  and  laymen  be 
appointed  by  this  Synod,  to  confer  with  a  like  one  from  the 
Synod  of  Pennsylvania,  on  the  union  of  the  two  Synods,  and  such 
a  geographical  division  of  the  field  as  may  secure  the  object 
aimed  at  and  the  best  interests  of  the  Church." 

"  After  much  discussion,  a  motion  was  made  to  amend  the  res- 
olution by  deferring  action  in  the  matter  till  next  year,  which 
amendment  was  adopted  by  the  following  vote  :  Yeas,  26  ;  nays, 
14." 


28  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

At  a  subsequent  stage  of  the  proceedings  it  was 
"Resolved,  That  in  our  action  upon  the  above  report  we  have 
by  no  means  desired  to  convey  to  our  brethren  of  the  Synod  of 
Pennsylvania,  the  impression  that  we  disapprove  of  the  end  con- 
templated in  the  report,  but  simply  to  avoid  the  appearance  of 
importunately  pressing  the  matter  upon  their  attention  ;  and  we 
hereby  pledge  ourselves  cordially  to  respond  to  any  intimation  on 
their  part  of  a  readiness  to  enter  into  preliminary  arrangements 
for  effecting  so  desirable  a  result.  This  was  adopted  by  a  unani- 
mous vote." 

In  our  synodical  minutes  of  1858  we  find  a  committee  report- 
ing upon  the  minutes  of  the  Pennsylvania  Synod  of  the  same  year 
as  follows  : 

"  In  these  minutes  cognizance  is  taken  of  the  unfortunate 
interferences  which,  owing  in  part  to  the  fact  that  both 
Synods  occupy  substantially  the  same  territory,  have  too  often 
occurred  between  some  of  the  members  of  both  bodies.  This  is 
an  evil  of  long  and  loud  complaint  on  both  sides,  and  one  which, 
with  the  best  intentions  and  the  most  generous  as  well  as  most 
vigorous  efforts,  has  not  been  entirely  removed. 

"The  action  of  the  Pennsylvania  Synod  on  this  subject  is  very 
decided,  not  only  rebuking  any  of  its  members  guilty  of  violating 
its  '  Ministerial  Ordnung  '  in  this  particular,  but  declaring  also  to 
strike  their  names  from  their  ministerial  roll.  This  action,  how- 
ever, is  made  dependent  on  a  full  concurrence  of  like  action  by 
our  Synod. 

"Your  Committee  is  not  prepared,  ex  aninio  et  ex  corde,  to 
recommend  to  this  Synod  the  unqualified  endorsement  of  this 
principle.  The  main  idea  is  certainly  commendable,  and  meets 
our  hearty  approval,  and  should  be  sought  by  every  member  of 
this  body  religiously  to  be  carried  out.  Yet  there  are  conceivable 
circumstances,  the  like  of  which  have  not  unfrequently  occurred 
in  the  past  history  of  this  Synod,  where,  prompted  by  love  of  the 
Church,  as  well  as  a  regard  for  the  welfare  and  retention  of  her 
membership,  there  may  be  more  virtue  in  the  breach  than  in  the 
observance  of  this  principle.  It  is  particularly  charged  upon  our 
delegate  to  the  Synod  ofujj  nsylvania  to  explain  to  them  more 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  29 

fully  our  understanding  of  this  action.  [Signed,  A.  C.  Wedekind, 
John  R.  Willox  and  Joseph  Stulb.]" 

The  report  was  amended  and  adopted  as  above. 

In  the  minutes  of  our  Synod  of  1859  we  find  the  report  of  the 
Joint  Committee  of  Coiiference  on  Inter- Syno die al  Relations,  as 
follows  : 

"Resolved,  1.  As  a  general  rule,  we  adopt  the  principle  of  non- 
intervention in  the  charges  belonging  to  our  respective  Synods. 

"2.  In  cases  of  difficulty  and  dissatisfaction  arising  in  any 
charge,  it  will  be  the  duty  of  said,  charge,  or  part  of  a  charge,  first 
to  bring  the  difficulty,  cause  of  complaint,  etc.,  before  the  Con- 
ference or  Synod  to  which  it  belongs,  and  if  the  difficulty  be  not 
adjusted  to  the  satisfaction  of  those  complaining,  and  it  have  its 
origin  in  consequence  of  inter-synodical  relations,  that  then  the 
President  of  each  of  the  Synods  appoint  a  committee  of  three  to 
confer  together  in  reference  to  the  matter,  and  they  be  in- 
structed to  pursue  such  a  course  in  its  adjustment  as  they  con- 
scientiously believe  will  promote  the  best  interests  of  the  Church. 

"3.  That  similar  committees  shall  be  appointed  in  cases  where 
charges  are  to  be  formed  from  congregations  belonging  to  both 
Synods. 

"  4.  That  the  action  of  these  joint  committees  be  submitted  to 
each  Synod  for  concurrence  and  confirmation.  [Signed,  S.  K. 
Probst,  C.  J.  Ehrehart,  G.  J.  Martz,  E.  S.  Henry  and  E.  W. 
Hutter.]" 

Item  1  was  adopted. 

Items  2,  3  and  4  were  stricken  out,  and  the  following  was 
passe  1  : 

"  Resolved,  That  under  existing  circumstances,  we  believe  it  to 
be  impossible  to  devise  any  system  of  rules  that  will  be  adequate 
to  meet  the  exceptional  cases  referred  to  in  the  above  report." 

In  1 86 1  the  committee  of  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod  on  the 
minutes  of  the  Pennsylvania  Synod  calls  attention  to  "  the  very 
kind  and  Christian  spirit  of  the  paragraph  having  reference  to  the 
efforts  of  this  Synod  (/.  e.  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania),  in  healing 
the  differences  between  the  two  bodies." 


30  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

In  1862  the  President  of  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod,  Rev. 
Dr.  Seiss  (who  subsequently  joined  the  Pennsylvania  Synod), 
stated  in  his  official  report  :  "  It  was  the  remark  of  your  retiring 
President  [C.  A.  Hay]  last  year,  that  the  principal  part  of  his 
official  correspondence  had  been  of  an  unpleasant  character, 
originating  in  the  rivalry  of  contending  factions  in  some  of  our 
churches,  and  in  some  of  those  in  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania.  I 
regret  equally  with  him  that  my  own  experience  in  this  respect 
corresponds,  to  a  large  extent,  to  his,  and  from  the  same  causes." 
After  describing  some  of  these  inter-synodical  difficulties,  he  adds  : 
"  From  this  the  Synod  will  learn  how  unfortunate  the  relations 
are  between  these  two  bodies.  And  the  ever-recurring  annoy- 
ances of  this  kind  which  the  Synod  and  its  presiding  officers  are 
compelled  to  endure  from  year  to  year,  to  say  nothing  of  the 
wrongs  and  mischiefs  involved,  ought  by  this  time  to  satisfy  all 
that  the  period  has  come  when  decisive  measures  should  be 
taken  to  bring  them  to  an  end.  The  Synod  of  Pennsylvania  is 
evidently  willing  and  anxious  to  come  to  some  understanding  on 
the  subject,  and  to  adopt  any  reasonable  and  feasible  arrange- 
ments for  this  purpose  to  which  we  may  agree,  having  herself 
several  times  moved  in  the  matter,  and  also  recently  made  certain 
acknowledgments  and  retractions  which  ought  to  go  far  to  per- 
suade us  to  meet  them  in  a  fraternal  and  conciliatory  spirit."  He 
proposed  "  the  creation  of  a  Board  or  Committee  of  Reference 
or  Arbitration,  with  full  powers,  etc.  *  *  and  that  every  brother 
found  guilty  of  improper  interference,  who  will  not  promptly  sub- 
mit to  the  decision  of  this  Committee  or  Board,  be  at  once  sus- 
pended from  exercising  the  functions  of  his  ministry." 

The  committee  to  whom  this  report  was  referred  (of  which  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Greenwald  was  Chairman),  approved  of  the  plan  re- 
commended by  the  President,  but  adds:  "We  are  persuaded, 
however,  that  there  is  a  better  way,  to  which   the  Synods  must 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  3  I 

come  at  last.  We  therefore  propose,  and  earnestly  recommend, 
that  the  two  Synods  existing  on  the  same  territory  should  unite, 
and  then  divide  the  territory  into  two  or  more  Synods,  having 
distinct  geographical  boundaries."  Dr.  Greenwald  had  been 
our  delegate  to  the  Pennsylvania  Synod  that  year,  and  in  his 
report  said,  among  other  things  :  "The  existence  of  two  Synods 
on  the  same  territory  is  contrary  to  the  rule  of  the  General 
Synod.  *  *  The  existence  of  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod 
has  been  a  blessing  to  the  Church  in  eastern  Pennsylvania,  and 
the  Head  of  the  Church  has  given  it  great  prosperity.  Many  of 
the  large  and  influential  English  churches  in  our  cities  and  large 
towns,  and  elsewhere,  would  perhaps  not  exist  if  the  East  Pennsyl- 
vania Synod  had  not  been  organized  ;  and  perhaps  no  other  form 
was  possible  at  the  time  than  that  which  it  has.  Still  it  is  true,  that 
before  its  organization  there  was  but  one  Synod  on  the  territory, 
and  that  there  are  now  two  is  owing  to  its  subsequent  organiza- 
tion. Our  Synod  ought  to  make  the  first  advance  toward  a 
change.  As  the  irregular  synodical  relations  originated  with  us, 
we  ought  to  inaugurate  measures  that  may  bring  order  out  of  the 
present  disorder.  *  *  The  reasons  for  the  existence  of  an 
English  Synod  on  the  territory  of  the  German  Synod  no  longer 
exist.  The  importance  of  giving  greater  encouragement  and 
more  extensive  development  to  the  Elnglish  interests  of  the 
church  in  eastern  Pennsylvania,  was  the  principal  motive  that  led 
to  the  organization  of  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod.  At  that 
time  the  Pennsylvania  Synod  was  exclusively  a  German  body, 
etc.  *  *  So  long  as  the  two  Synods  exist  on  the  same  terri- 
tory, there  will  be  unhappy  collisions.  Constituted  as  human 
nature  is,  these  are  unavoidable.  *  *  There  is  a  feasible 
remedy.  *  *  There  are  in  our  Synodical  territory  the  most 
distinct  and  natural  boundaries  for  the  formation  of  two  or  more 
Synods,  etc." 


32  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

After  much  discussion,  on  motion  of  Rev.  L.  K.  Albert,  it  was 
"  Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed  by  this 
Synod,  to  meet  a  similar  committee  from  the  Synod  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, to  whom  shall  be  entrusted  for  final  settlement  the  matters 
under  dispute  between  the  two  Synods  ;  and  that  this  committee 
be  also  a  committee  of  conference,  to  take  into  consideration  the 
union  of  these  Synods,  and  report  at  the  next  meeting  of  our 
Synod." 

From  the  minutes  of  1863  we  learn  that  the  committees  of  the 
two  Synods  met  in  Reading  in  January  of  that  year,  failing,  in- 
deed, to  adjust  the  inter-synodical  difficulties  entrusted  to  them, 
but  finding  far  less  diversity  of  opinion  than  had  been  supposed 
to  exist  in  regard  to  the  "  far  more  important  question  committed 
to  their  consideration."  Concerning  this  the  following  resolu- 
tions were  adopted  : 

"  1.  Resolved,  That  in  the  judgment  of  this  joint  committee  the 
union  of  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  Synod  of  East  Penn- 
sylvania, at  the  earliest  period  deemed  practicable  by  the  two 
Synods,  is  in  the  highest  degree  advisable. 

"2.  Resolved,  That  we  request  both  Synods,  at  their  next  ses- 
sions, to  take  into  consideration  whether  such  union  cannot  be 
consummated  at  once. 

"  3-  Resolved,  That,  whilst  we  do  not  venture  to  recommend 
any  specific  plan  for  such  union,  we  would  submit  for  the  exam- 
ination of  the  Synods  the  following  papers  presented  at  the  meet- 
ing of  this  conference,  viz.  :  Plan  submitted  by  Rev.  E.  Green- 
wald,  D.  D.,  of  the  Synod  of  East  Pennsylvania,  and  the  Plan 
submitted  by  Rev.  G.  F.  Krotel,  of  the  Pennsylvania  Synod," 

The  former  of  these  proposed  the  formation  of  two  Synods, 
separated  by  the  Schuylkill  river,  the  eastern  one  to  retain  the 
old  name  and  the  western  one  to  have  the  name  of  the  East 
Pennsylvania  Synod.  The  other  plan  proposed  a  complete  and 
permanent  fusion  of  the  two  Synods,  to  bear  the  name  of  "  The 
United  Synod  of  the  German  Evangelical  Lutheran  Ministerium 
of  Pennsylvania  and  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Synod  of  East 
Pennsylvania." 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  33 

The  Pennsylvania  Synod,  at  its  meeting  in  June,  1863,  fully 
discussed  this  subject  and  adopted  the  following  resolutions  : 

"  Whereas,  The  various  embarrassments  arising  from  the  occu- 
pation of  one  and  the  same  territory  by  the  Synod  of  East  Penn- 
sylvania and  our  Synod  are  more  and  more  felt ;  and 

"  Whereas,  We  all,  as  Christians,  church-members  and  ministers, 
acknowledge  the  duty  of  promoting  peace  and  good-will  among 
all  men,  especially  among  members  of  the  same  household  of 
faith  ;  therefore, 

"  1 .  Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  Synod  a  union  be- 
tween the  Synod  of  East  Pennsylvania  and  our  Synod  is  eminently 
desirable. 

"2.  Resolved,  That  we,  on  our  part,  adopt  the  following  posi- 
tions as  the  basis  upon  which  any  plan  of  union  that  might  be 
presented  must  be  constructed  : 

(a)  The  position  taken  by  our  Synod,  and  officially  expressed 
in  the  Order  of  Ordination,  and  in  the  Constitution  for  Congrega- 
tions, recommended  by  the  Synod,  with  regard  to  the  doctrines 
and  usages  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  shall  remain  un- 
disturbed. 

(/>)  The  full  and  equal  rights  due  and  secured  to  the  two 
languages  used  by  ministers  and  people  in  Eastern  Pennsylvania 
shall  not  be  interfered  with. 

(c)  The  liberal  and  tolerant  construction  and  application  of 
the  aforesaid  principles,  which  have  hitherto  characterized  the 
mutual  intercourse  of  the  members  of  this  body,  shall  be  strictly 
maintained. 

(d)  The  legal  obligations  and  chartered  rights  of  this  Synod, 
and  of  the  congregations  connected  with  it,  shall  not  be  in  any 
wise  affected  or  restricted,  unless  with  the  full  consent  of  all  the 
parties  concerned. 

(e)  The  name  of  this  Synod  shall  not  be  sunk  in  any  designa- 
tion by  which  any  proposed  union  of  the  two  Synods  shall  be 
known. 

"3.  Resolved,  That  these  resolutions  be  respectfully  laid  before 
the  Synod  of  East  Pennsylvania,  at  its  next  meeting,  by  our  dele- 
gates to  that  body." 
3 


34  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

In  1863  our  President  reports  on  this  subject:  "This  joint 
committee  assembled  in  Rev.  Keller's  church  in  Reading  *  * 
but  left  the  inter-synodical  difficulties  where  it  found  them.  *  * 
The  Synod  of  Pennsylvania  has  had  this  very  question  under 
serious,  protracted  and  earnest  discussion,  etc.  It  behooves  this 
body  to  meet  the  action  of  the  Pennsylvania  Synod  in  the  same 
candid,  frank  and  fraternal  spirit  that  characterized  theirs.  The 
olive-branch  is  sincerely  offered  ;  shall  it  be  as  sincerely  ac- 
cepted?" Our  delegate  to  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania  (Rev.  Dr. 
Valentine)  reported  that  when  this  subject  was  under  discussion 
at  the  Pennsylvania  Synod  he  had  felt  it  his  duty  to  express  to 
the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania  the  opinion  that  it  was  the  desire  of 
this  body  to  unite  with  that  on  terms  including  an  immediate 
division  of  the  territory  into  two  Synods  with  geographical  bound- 
aries, but  that  a  simple  fusion  into  one  Synod  would  be  of  doubt- 
ful acceptableness,  etc.  And  our  committee  of  conference,  in 
their  report  in  1863,  recommend  the  following  resolutions  for 
adoption  by  the  Synod  : 

"1.  Resolved,  That  in  our  inmost  hearts  we  reciprocate  the 
feeling  of  fraternal  love,  and  the  desire  for  closer  unity  and  more 
amicable  co-operation  involved  in  the  action  of  the  venerable 
mother  Synod,  and  that  in  the  opinion  of  this  Synod  a  union  of 
these  two  Synods,  by  a  fusion  into  one,  or  on  the  basis  of  a  geo- 
graphical arrangement,  is  eminently  desirable. 

"  2.  Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  Synod  the  best  way 
to  accomplish  this  eminently  desirable  result  would  be  for  the 
two  Synods  to  meet  in  convention  for  the  purpose  of  fraternal 
consultation  and  for  final  action,  should  they  see  fit,  at  a  time  and 
place  fixed  by  a  joint  committee  appointed  by  the  officers  of  both 
Synods. 

"3.  Resolved,  That  in  such  joint  convention,  at  the  call  of  any 
three  members  of  either  Synod,  any  resolution  shall  require  for 
its  adoption  a  majority  of  each  Synod. 

"4.  Resolved,  That  we  heartily  accede  to  the  positions  laid 
down  by  the  Pennsylvania  Synod,  under  the  twenty-second  reso- 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  35 

lution  of  their  last  session,  and  that  we,  on  our  part,  adopt  the 
following  positions,  as  the  basis  upon  which  any  plan  of  union 
that  may  be  presented  must  be  constructed." 

[Reiteration  of  the  Pennsylvania  Synod's  resolutions,  etc.  (see 
page  33)  under  a,  b,  c,  d,  e.~\  "The  name  of  this  Synod  shall 
not  be  sunk  in  the  issue  of  this  effort  to  reorganize  the  Lutheran 
elements  upon  the  territory  of  East  Pennsylvania." 

"5.  Resolved,  That  whilst  the  recent  action  of  the  Synod  of 
Pennsylvania  seems  to  indicate  a  preference  for  an  actual  union 
of  both  Synods,  and  whilst  we  decidedly  prefer  a  geographical 
division  of  the  territory  now  jointly  occupied  by  them,  we  think 
it  nevertheless  more  prudent  that  neither  Synod  should  in  advance 
insist  upon  its  preferences  in  this  respect,  but  that  both  should 
enter  the  proposed  convention  prepared  to  adopt  and  carry  out 
any  arrangement  that  the  united  wisdom  of  the  ministers  and  lay 
delegates  there  assembled  may  determine  upon. 

"  6.  Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  three  clergymen  and  three 
laymen  be  appointed  at  the  present  meeting  of  this  Synod,  to  act 
in  conjunction  with  a  similar  committee  which  we  ardently  hope 
our  mother  Synod  will  appoint,  to  make  all  necessary  prepara- 
tions for  such  a  joint  convention,  and  to  announce  the  time  and 
place  of  meeting.  [Signed,  C.  P.  Krauth,  C.  A.  Hay,  G.  Parson, 
C.  A.  Kngler,  J.  G.  L.  Schindel.]" 

The  Secretary  adds  :  "  Dr.  Krauth,  at  his  own  request,  was 
permitted  to  sign  his  name  to  the  report,  as  thus  amended." 

The  minutes  of  the  Pennsylvania  Synod  for  1864  contained 
the  report  of  that  Synod's  part  of  the  joint  committee  appointed 
to  make  the  needful  arrangements  for  a  general  convention  of 
the  two  Synods  to  consider  the  subject  of  synodical  union.  It  is 
as  follows  :  "  Your  committee  have  the  honor  to  report  that 
they  met  in  conference  with  the  committee  of  the  Synod  of  East 
Pennsylvania,  Rev.  Dr.  Seiss  serving  as  the  Chairman,  and  gave 
their  serious  consideration  to  the  subject  laid  before  them,  but 
they  were  unable  to  arrive  at  any  satisfactory  result,  and  ad- 
journed to  meet  again  at  the  call  of  the  Chairman.  Respectfully 
submitted,  by  W.  J.  Mann,  Chairman." 


36  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

The  minutes  state  that  "  The  above  report  was  adopted,  and 
the  discussion  of  the  subject  continued  until  the  hour  for  adjourn- 
ment arrived,  when  its  further  consideration  was  postponed  until 
a  later  period  during  the  meeting.  Inasmuch  as  the  Synod  after- 
wards determined  to  hold  a  special  meeting  in  July,  it  was  con- 
cluded that  this  subject  should  be  lurther  considered  at  that 
time.  The  following  preamble  and  resolutions  were  adopted  at 
that  special  meeting  in  July,  1864  : 

"  Whereas,  The  Synod  of  East  Pennsylvania  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  confer  with  a  similar  committee  from  this  body,  to  con- 
sider the  terms  upon  which  a  union  of  the  two  Synods,  or  a  geo- 
graphical division  of  the  territory  occupied  by  them,  could  be 
effected  •  and 

"  Whereas,  The  President  of  this  body,  prior  to  the  last  stated 
meeting  of  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania,  appointed  such  a  Com- 
mittee of  Conference ;  and 

"  Whereas,  These  Committees,  upon  conferring  together,  found 
it  impossible  to  accomplish  anything  further  than  to  resolve  to 
postpone  the  further  consideration  of  the  matter  until  after  the 
meeting  of  this  Synod  to  be  held  in  Pottstown  ;  and 

"  Whereas,  The  pressure  of  business  at  Pottstown  and  at  this 
special  meeting  has  rendered  a  consideration  of  this  momentous 
business  out  of  the  question  ;  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  has  not  changed  its  position  in  re- 
gard to  this  matter,  and  still,  in  good  faith,  presents  the  same 
terms  of  union." 

"Resolved,  That  we  request  the  Joint  Committee  of  Confer- 
ence to  resume  their  deliberations  as  soon  as  possible." 

Then  followed  the  retiring  of  the  Pennsylvania  Synod's  dele- 
gates from  the  General  Synod  at  York,  and  the  President  of  the 
East  Pennsylvania  Synod  (Dr.  Fink),  in  his  official  report  in 
1 864,  remarks  :  "  From  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania 
and  Adjacent  States  on  this  subject,  both  at  its  regular  and  special 
meetings,  as  I  learned  it  from  observation  and  its  published  re- 
ports, I  am  inclined  to  think  that  further  action  on  the  part  of 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  37 

this  Synod,  looking  to  a  union  of  the  two  bodies,  would  be  at 
once  dishonorable  and  useless.  The  whole  matter  having  been 
treated  most  cavalierly  by  the  one  party,  I  take  the  liberty  most 
respectfully  and  earnestly  to  recommend  to  this  body  that  the 
further  consideration  of  the  proposed  union  of  the  Synod  of 
Pennsylvania  and  the  Synod  of  East  Pennsylvania  be  held  in 
abeyance,  until  the  older  Synod,  by  its  action,  will  make  it 
possible  for  this  Synod  to  further  entertain  the  subject,  and  at 
the  same  time  maintain  its  honor  and  self-respect."  *  *  "Our 
relations  to  others  who  bear  the  same  name,  and  occupy  the  same 
territory  with  ourselves,  have  always  been  peculiar,  but  never  so 
very  peculiar  as  now.  Harmony  and  fellowship  cannot  subsist 
between  two  Synods,  unless  they  treat  each  other  with  decent 
respect,  argue  their  differences  candidly  and  temperately,  and 
pursue  towards  each  other  an  open,  fair  and  friendly  line  of  con- 
duct. We  have,  especially  of  late  years,  manifested  in  every  pos- 
sible way  a  spirit  of  conciliation,  forbearance  and  concession, 
which  has  not  always  been  met  with  the  same  spirit.  We  have 
sought  peace,  fellowship  and  union.  In  these  we  have  not  been 
successful  to  the  full  measure  of  our  desire.  Our  duty  to  our- 
selves and  to  our  Divine  Master  will  permit  us  to  yield  no  more, 
to  concede  no  more,  but  peremptorily  enjoins  upon  us  to  plant 
ourselves  more  firmly  than  ever  upon  the  great  principles  and 
purposes  which  led  to  the  formation  of  the  Synod  of  East  Penn- 
sylvania. Believing  that  the  territory  we  occupy  belongs  of 
right  to  King  Jesus,  and  that  we  have  a  well- authenticated  com- 
mission to  possess  and  cultivate  it  for  him,  we  should  enter  upon 
our  mission  with  new  zeal  and  redoubled  energy.  No  one  can 
occupy  a  middle  ground  any  longer  ;  he  that  is  not  for  us  is 
against  us.  Our  Synod  has  a  work  to  do.  May  the  Lord  give 
her  wisdom  and  strength  to  do  it  well,  and  then,  and  not  until 
then,  will  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  in  Eastern  Pennsyl- 


38  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

vania  become,  what  God  designed  her  to  be  everywhere — a  living 
power  for  good — a  very  ark  of  salvation  for  redeemed  sinners  !" 

In  1865  the  Standing  Committee  of  Conference  reported  that 
no  communication  had  been  received  by  them  from  the  Synod  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  "  the  Committee  was  hereupon  discharged." 

In  1866  [after  Fort  Wayne  !]  a  committee  on  the  "Papers  of 
the  Pennsylvania  Synod"  reported  as  follows  : 

"The  Committee  No.  2,  to  whom  has  been  referred  the  'Fra- 
ternal Address '  issued  by  a  committee  of  the  Synod  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, with  accompanying  letter  of  Rev.  G.  F.  Krotel.  D.  D.,  as 
Chairman  of  that  committee,  submitting  the  Address  to  this  body, 
respectfully  report : 

"  I.  That  the  Address  has  been  prepared  and  published  in  ac- 
cordance with  a  resolution  of  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania,  adopted 
at  Lancaster,  after  its  secession  from  the  General  Synod,  to  in- 
vite 'All  Evangelical  Lutheran  Synods,  Ministers  and  Congrega- 
tions in  the  United  States  and  Canadas,  which  confess  the  Unal- 
tered Augsburg  Confession,  to  unite  with  them  in  a  convention 
for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  Union  of  Lutheran  Synods.' 

"  II.  That  this  Address,  under  the  plea  of  love,  peace,  fraternity 
and  unity,  assails  the  General  Synod,  and  passes  it  under  utter  con- 
demnation, as  unworthy  of  confidence  or  support,  and  asks  us  to 
unite  in  their  proposed  effort  to  organize  another  General  Union, 
to  accomplish  the  objects  which,  it  is  alleged,  the  General  Synod 
has  failed  to  secure. 

"  Your  Committee  propose  the  following  as  the  judgment  and 
testimony  of  this  Synod  in  this  matter  : 

"Resolved,  1.  That  this  Synod  respectfully,  but  with  emphasis, 
declines  to  take  the  desired,  or  any,  part  in  the  proposed  move- 
ment, and  solemnly  declares  that  in  its  view  and  conviction,  it  is 
unjustifiable,  schismatic,  and  fraught  with  sad  consequences  to 
the  unity  and  welfare  of  our  Lutheran  Zion,  and  ought  to  be  dis- 
countenanced by  all  who  love  its  peace  and  desire   its  prosperity. 

"Resolved,  2.  That  we  testify  our  undiminished  confidence  in 
the  General  Synod,  and  pledge,  against  all  its  opposers  and  de- 
famers,  our  continued  endeavors  to   promote  its  influence  and 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  39 

power,    already   realized     as   rich     in     blessings   to    our  beloved 
Church. 

"Resolved,  3.  That  we  appoint  a  committee  of  five,  whose  duty 
it  shall  be  to  act  in  conjunction  with  a  committee  already  ap- 
pointed by  the  Synod  of  West  Pennsylvania,  to  issue  and  circulate 
a  Fraternal  Appeal  to  the  Church,  in  order  to  counteract  the 
effort  made  to  alienate  the  churches  and  synods  of  the  General 
Synod  from  that  body,  and  unite  them  in  this  intended  new 
organization. 

"Resolved,  4.  That  we  earnestly  entreat  the  Synod  of  Pennsyl- 
vania to  desist  from  the  movement  they  propose  in  their  Address, 
as  replete  with  the  roost  unhappy  results  of  discord,  strife  and 
division  to  the  Church,  and  injury  to  the  cause  of  Christ. 

"  M.  Valentine, 
E.  S.  Johnston, 
A.  R.  Horne, 
J.  F.  McLain." 

Adopted. 

In  1867  the  Pennsylvania  Synod  refused  to  receive  our  dele- 
gate to  that  body  and  sent  to  our  Synod  a  communication  on  that 
subject.  The  Committee  to  whom  this  was  referred  reported  that 
it  was  "  a  certified  copy  of  the  action  taken  by  the  German 
Evangelical  Lutheran  Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania,  in  refusing  to 
receive  the  delegate  to  that  body  appointed  by  this  Synod  at  its 
last  session,  and  in  refusing  to  'continue  cordial  relations  and 
brotherly  communion '  with  this  Synod. 

"  The  grounds  upon  which  the  Ministerium  bases  this  action 
are  :  First, — the  opinion  expressed  by  our  Synod  at  its  last  meet- 
ing, in  regard  to  the  character  and  probable  influence  of  the  Ad- 
dress issued  by  said  Ministerium,  inviting  '  All  Evangelical  Luth- 
eran Synods,  Ministers  and  Congregations  in  the  United  States 
and  Canadas,  which  confess  the  Unaltered  Augsburg  Confession, 
to  unite  with  them  in  a  convention  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a 
Union  of  Lutheran  Synods,'  and,  Secondly, — The  '  Fraternal  Ap- 
peal '  issued  conjointly  by  this  Synod  and  that  of  West  Pennsyl- 
vania, '  in  order  to   counteract   the  effort   made   to  alienate  the 


40  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

Churches  and  Synods  of  the  General  Synod  from  that  body,  and 
unite  them  in  this  new  organization.' 

"  The  Ministerium,  after  rejecting  our  delegate  and  sundering 
the  bonds  of  fraternal  intercourse  between  itself  and  the  Synods 
of  West  and  East  Pennsylvania,  '  respectfully  requests  these 
Synods  to  review  the  principles  of  their  action,  so  that  it  may  be 
ascertained  whether  they  may  not  be  able  in  this  emergency  to 
pursue  some  course  which,  by  the  blessing  of  the  Lord,  may  be  in 
like  manner  just  to  us  [the  Ministerium]  and  honorable  to  them- 
selves.' 

"  In  reply  to  which  the  Committee  propose  the  adoption  of  the 
following  preamble  and  resolutions  : 

"  Whereas,  We  are  thoroughly  convinced  that  our  judgment  of 
the  character  and  tendency  of  the  aforesaid  Address  of  the  Min- 
isterium of  Pennsylvania  was  correct  at  the  time  it  was  delivered  ; 
and 

"  Whereas,  Subsequent  events  have  furnished  unmistak- 
able and  lamentable  evidence  that  those  who  issued  it  are  fully 
resolved  to  run  the  plowshare  of  division  and  disorganization,  if 
possible,  through  all  our  synods  and  congregations  ;  therefore, 

"Resolved,  That  we  see  no  cause  for  modifying  the  judgment 
aforesaid,  or  for  regretting  the  affectionate  warning  addressed  by 
us  to  our  churches  ;  further, 

"Resolved,  That,  as  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania  has  seen 
fit  to  sunder  the  bonds  of  union  between  us,  no  just  and  honor- 
able course  remains  for  us  to  pursue  but  to  accept  the  issue  thus 
forced  upon  us,  and  stand  upon  the  defensive — maintaining  a 
consistent  adherence  to  the  faith  and  principles  we  have  long 
professed  and  practised,  and  praying  that  those  who  have  as- 
sumed this  hostile  attitude  may,  sooner  or  later,  acknowledge 
their  error  and  approach  us  with  such  proofs  of  their  sorrow  for 
the  harm  they  have  done,  that  we  may  be  able,  consistently  with 
self-respect  and  a  due  regard  for  ecclesiastical  order,  and  for  the 
real  welfare  of  our  beloved  Zion,  once  more  to  extend  to  them 
the  hand  of  synodical  fellowship.  S.  Sentman, 

Charles  A.  Hay, 
Charles  Kugler." 

Regretting  that  I  could  not  with  greater  brevity  present  a  suf- 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  4  I 

ficiently  accurate  account  of  the  relations  originally  existing  and 
subsequently  developed  between  the  Pennsylvania  Synod  and  our 
own,  I  now  hasten  to  make  a  very  few  statements  concerning  the 
attitude  sustained  by  our  Synod  toward  some  of  the  leading  issues 
that  have  interested  our  churches  since  our  organization. 

SECESSION    OF   THE    SUSQUEHANNA    CONFERENCE. 

This  Conference,  composed  of  the  ministers  and  churches  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  territory  occupied  by  this  Synod,  was 
from  the  time  of  its  organization  distinguished  for  its  zeal  and 
active  efficiency  in  all  manner  of  church  work.  In  1867  it  peti- 
tioned to  be  dismissed  from  our  body  for  the  purpose  of  organiz- 
ing an  independent  Synod  in  that  part  of  the  State.  The  Synod 
"  affectionately,  yet  most  earnestly,  requested  those  brethren  to 
withdraw  their  application  for  the  present,"  but,  as  they  urged 
their  plea  with  increasing  earnestness,  the  Synod  reluctantly 
granted  their  request.  In  187 1  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod 
"  kindly  and  affectionately  invited  the  Susquehanna  Synod  to  re- 
turn to  this  body  ;"  to  which  the  Susquehanna  brethren  responded 
in  1872  : 

Resolved,  That  we  reciprocate  the  regard  of  the  Synod  of  East 
Pennsylvania,  but  do  not  think  that  the  time  has  yet  arrived 
when  it  would  be  advisable  for  us  to  seek  a  re-union  with  it." 

THE    MINISTERIUM    QUESTION. 

In  1870  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod  appointed  a  committee 
to  report  a  year  later  on  the  propriety  of  dispensing  in  future 
with  all  ministerial  sessions,  i.  e.,  meetings  composed  of  ministers 
alone,  some  of  the  clerical  brethren  holding  the  opinion  that  the 
lay  representatives  of  the  churches  should  be  allowed  to  take 
part  in  all  ecclesiastical  business.  This  matter  was  subsequently 
referred  to  the  General  Synod,  which,  at  its  meeting  in  Baltimore 
in  1875,  adopted  a  form  of  Constitution   for  District  Synods,  in 


42  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

which  provision  is  made  in  Article  VIII.  for  the  holding  of  meet- 
ings by  ministers  alone,  by  such  Synods  as  may  desire  to  con- 
tinue the  custom  long  prevalent  in  our  country  ;  but  it  specifies 
also  in  Article  VIII.,  Section  14,  that  "in  all  cases  where  District 
Synods  have  not  made  provision  for  a  Ministerium,  all  the  powers 
and  duties  prescribed  in  this  article  shall  devolve  on  the  Synod." 

LICENSURE. 

This  Synod  has  been  much  exercised  on  the  subject  of  the 
induction  of  men  into  the  holy  office  of  the  ministry.  At  its 
meeting  in  Hughesville,  in  1856,  it  declined  "to  make  any 
change  in  our  method  of  inducting  men  into  the  ministerial 
office"  ;  /'.  e.,  it  determined  to  continue  licensing  them  by  a  vote 
of  the  Ministerium  to  perform  all  ministerial  acts.  The  Synod 
thus,  at  that  time,  still  entiusted  the  ministers  alone  with  the 
responsibility  of  deciding  who  should  be  admitted  to  the  holy 
office  ;  that  is,  it  regarded  them  as  constituting  a  strictly  self- 
perpetuating  order  of  men.  During  the  progress  of  the  meeting 
at  Lancaster,  in  1892,  however,  at  which  time  the  above  account 
of  its  past  history  was  presented,  the  Synodical  Constitution  was 
carefully  revised,  and  it  was  materially  improved  in  this  respect, 
by  the  adoption  of  the  principle  that  the  Synod  is  to  decide  upon 
the  final  ordination  of  applicants,  thus  entitling  the  lay  element 
of  the  body  to  take  part  in  deciding  who  shall  become  a  minister. 

BENEFICIARY    EDUCATION. 

The  East  Pennsylvania  Synod  has  always  taken  a  deep  interest 
in  this  cause.  It  has  aided  several  hundred  young  men  in  their 
preparation  for  the  ministry.  It  had  eighteen  on  its  funds  at  the 
time  of  the  withdrawal  of  the  Susquehanna  Conference,  and  it 
faithfully  met  its  obligation  to  them,  despite  the  loss  of  the  sup- 
plies it  had  before  received  from  the  churches  that  had  thus 
seceded.     It  expended  during  that  year  for  this  cause  $3,625.29. 


HISTORICAL    SKETCH.  43 

It  is,  of  all  the  Synods,  most  punctual  in  the  payment,  at  regu- 
lar intervals  during  the  year,  of  its  voluntarily  assumed  dues  to 
the  students.  The  young  men  gratefully  appreciate  this  treat- 
ment on  the  part  of  the  Synod,  as  it  practically  adds  much  to  the 
value  of  what  is  advanced  to  them.  They  are  in  the  habit  of 
calling  it  the  Banner  Synod. 

pastors'  fund. 
There  is  quite  a  history  connected  with  the  relation  of  our 
Synod  to  this  department  of  church  work.  The  Synod  has  always 
disapproved  of  the  mutual-beneficial  principle  in  the  matter  of 
relief  for  disabled  or  superannuated  ministers,  their  widows  and 
orphans  ;  and  it  has  always  acted  on  the  principle  that  the  duty 
of  caring  for  such  cases  rested  upon  the  whole  Church  and  not 
upon  the  clergy  alone.  Accordingly,  it  has  habitually  appealed 
to  the  churches  to  contribute  annually  for  this  purpose ;  and  the 
biennial  reports  of  the  trustees  of  the  General  Synod's  Pastors' 
Fund  prove  that  this  Synod  has  often  given  more  for  this  purpose 
than  all  the  other  Synods  combined. 

THE    LUTHERAN    PUBLICATION    BOARD 

had  its  origin,  practically,  in  this  Synod.  The  original  proposi- 
tion for  the  establishment  of  a  Translation  and  Publication  Soci- 
ety came  from  what  was  then  the  Susquehanna  Conference,  and 
the  committee  appointed  by  the  Synod  to  report  upon  it,  whilst 
regarding  its  immediate  establishment  as  inexpedient  and  un- 
necessary, yet  proposed  the  calling  of  a  convention  "  to  consider 
the  propriety  of  establishing  some  organization  by  which  the 
mind  of  the  Church  can  be  more  especially  awakened  on  this 
subject."  Such  a  convention  was  held  in  Germantown  in  1855, 
concerning  which  a  committee  consisting  of  Messrs.  Hutter,  Stork 
and  Albert  reported  to  our  Synod  at  Lebanon  in  that  year,  that 
"it  was  attended  by  a  number  of  clergymen  and  laymen  belong- 


44  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

ing  to  this  and  other  Synods  ;  that  at  this  convention  the  initia- 
tory steps  were  taken  for  the  organization  of  such  a  society,  etc. ;" 
and  the  Synod 

"Resolved,  That,  regarding  this  Society  as  the  offspring  of  this 
Synod,  begun  and  prosecuted  under  its  auspices,  we  cherish  a 
parental  interest  in  its  welfare  and  success,  and  will  rejoice  in  any 
evidence  we  may  perceive  of  its  advancement  and  growth  to  a 
more  mature  and  vigorous  degree  of  Christian  usefulness." 

This  institution,  at  first  a  beneficiary  of  the  Church,  barely  kept 
alive  by  the  contributions  of  our  people,  has  steadily  grown 
(under  the  gratuitous  and  skilful  management  of  its  wise  directors 
and  under  its  present  energetic  and  efficient  Superintendent,  Henry 
S.  Boner),  until  it  has  become  a  liberal  contributor  to  all  the 
leading  benevolent  operations  of  the  Church.  In  its  report  to 
the  last  General  Synod  its  financial  strength  is  given  as  $roo,ooo. 

EMMAUS    AND    TRESSLER    ORPHANS'    HOMES. 

In  these  institutions,  also,  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod  has  al- 
ways shown  a  deep  interest.  It  acted  in  harmony  with  the  Penn- 
sylvania Ministerium  and  the  West  Pennsylvania  Synod  many 
years  ago  in  urging  the  trustees  of  the  Fry  Estate  at  Middletotvn 
to  make  a  direct  application  of  the  revenues  of  that  estate  to  the 
purposes  intended  by  the  founder  of  the  Emmaus  Orphans'  Home, 
and  it  now  has  the  satisfaction  of  beholding  the  salutary  effects 
of  its  efforts  in  the  enlarged  and  beneficent  operations  of  that  in- 
stitution. 

One  of  the  oldest  and  still  living  ministers  of  Synod,  Rev.  P. 
Willard,  through  whose  agency  the  Tressler  property  was  pur- 
chased and  soldiers'  orphans  secured,  was  for  many  years  the  ac- 
tive and  efficient  Superintendent  of  the  Tressler  Orphans'  Home; 
and  it  is  mainly  owing  to  his  self-denying  and  laborious  exertions 
that  that  institution  for  many  years  bore  the  well-earned  reputa- 
tion of  being  the  most  admirably  conducted  Soldier's  Orphans' 


HISTORICAL   SKETCH.  45 

Home  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  Now  that  the  policy  of  the 
State  authorities  has  made  it  necessary  for  the  soldiers'  orphans 
to  be  concentrated  in  a  few  institutions  especially  intended  for 
them,  our  Church-orphans  have  become  entirely  dependent  upon 
the  charitable  gifts  of  our  own  people,  and  we  may  confidently 
trust  that  there  will  be  no  lack  of  sympathy  or  of  benevolent  ef- 
fort for  them  on  the  part  of  our  Synod. 

women's  home  and  foreign  missionary  societies. 

This  Synod  cordially  responded  to  the  action  of  the  General 
Synod  at  its  session  in  Carthage,  111.,  in  1877,  recommending  the 
establishment  of  separate  missionary  societies  by  the  women  of 
our  churches.  Fifty-five  of  such  associations  exist  upon  our 
territory,  banded  together  in  a  "  Synodical  Woman's  Home  and 
Foreign  Missionary  Society,"  the  proceedings  of  the  annual  meet- 
ings of  which  will  hereafter  be  regularly  printed  in  connection 
with  our  minutes. 

histories  of  the  churches. 
In  the  minutes  of  1854  we  find  a  committee  reporting  upon  the 
proceedings  of  the  Susquehanna  Conference,  which  it  highly  eu- 
logizes, as  "  being  animated  by  a  spirit  of  activity  and  enterprise^ 
which  makes  it  an  example  well  worthy  of  the  imitation  of  all 
similar  bodies,  not  only  in  our  own  Synod,  but  in  the  whole 
Church."  Among  other  praiseworthy  doings  of  that  Conference  it 
enumerates  "  a  plan  which  the  brethren  have  devised  for  preserv- 
ing the  history  of  our  Church,  the  main  feature  of  which  is,  that 
each  pastor  within  the  bounds  of  Conference  prepare  a  concise 
and  faithful  history  of  the  church  or  churches  under  his  care,  for 
preservation  in  the  library  of  the  Historical  Society  of  our  Church 
at  Gettysburg."  The  Synod  cordially  approved  of  this  plan,  and 
earnestly  recommended  to  all  its  pastors  the  prompt  preparation 
of  such  sketches.     Some  of  the  brethren  cheerfully  heeded  this 


46  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

recommendation,  and  these  sketches,  in  print  or  in  manuscript, 
are  now  carefully  preserved  in  the  library  of  the  Lutheran  Histori- 
cal Society.  It  is  earnestly  desired  and  hoped  that  this  semi- 
centennial year  of  our  existence  as  a  Synod  will  not  be  suffered  to 
pass  by  without  witnessing  the  fulfilment  of  the  request,  reiterated 
by  our  Synod  at  its  last  session,  viz.,  that  all  our  ministerial 
brethren  prepare  brief  histories  of  their  churches  for  permanent 
preservation  in  the  library  of  our  Historical  Society. 


SYNODICAL    MEETINGS    AND    OFFICERS. 


47 


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SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


I.  FRIESBURG  (COHANSEY)   CHURCH,  SALEM 
COUNTY,  N.  J. 

BY    REV.    S.    J.    MCDOWELL. 

The  history  of  the  Friesburg  Lutheran  Church  dates  back  to 
1726.  Some  time  during  that  year,  Rev.  Peter  Tranberg,  a 
Swedish  pastor,  began  to  serve  a  small  body  of  Lutherans  that 
settled  in  and  about  the  district  now  known  as  Friesburg.  In  the 
year  1732  a  young  man,  Jacob  M.  Miller  by  name,  who  had  come 
to  this  country  with  the  Rev.  John  Christian  Schultze,  settled 
among  the  little  band  of  Lutherans,  and  apparently  infused  new 
life  into  it.  With  his  coming  increased  activity  arises,  and  things 
are  brought  into  a  better  shape.  The  "  little  Lutheran  congre- 
gation" so  "  long  a  time  in  existence,"  now  becomes  strong 
enough  to  build  for  itself  a  church.  In  1  739  this  is  undertaken 
and  completed.  It  was  a  frame  structure,  and  stood  until  re- 
placed by  one  of  brick  in  1768. 

Rev.  Tranberg  also  served  two  other  congregations  with  the 
one  at  Friesburg  ;  one  at  Raccoon,  eighteen  miles  from  Friesburg, 
and  the  other  at  Pennsneck,  both  along  the  Delaware  river.  He 
continued  dividing  his  time  between  these  three  places  until  he 
removed  to  Wilmington,  Del.,  in  1 740.  After  that,  he  supplied 
the  Friesburg  people  for  three  more  years.  He  was  relieved  of 
this  congregation  by  Pastor  Gabriel  Nasmann,  in  October,  1743. 
The  latter  held  services  for  them  once  a  month  from  Wicaco, 
Philadelphia.  It  was  always  on  a  week-day,  and  usually  on  a 
Monday.  He  preached  in  both  the  English  and  German  lan- 
guages for  them. 

In  1 745  they  were  without  a  pastor,  and  applied  for  one  to  the 

(49) 


50  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

German  ministers  of  Philadelphia.  In  April  of  that  year  they 
visited  Pastor  Brunnholtz,  who  promised  that  the  pastors  of  Phil- 
adelphia would  visit  them  at  least  once  or  twice  a  year  to 
look  after  their  spiritual  interests.  In  the  meantime  they  were 
to  have  a  school-master  sent  them,  who  was  to  see  to  the  proper 
education  of  their  children,  and  read  a  sermon  for  them  every 
Sunday.  Jacob  Loser  was  at  once  sent  to  attend  to  this  part  of 
the  agreement.  He  carried  with  him  a  copy  of  Francke's  Postille,. 
from  which  he  read  a  sermon  every  Lord's  day.  It  was  his  duty 
to  catechise  the  children  and  prepare  them  for  confirmation 
when  the  Philadelphia  pastor  should  arrive  to  perform  all  mar- 
riage ceremonies,  baptize  the  children  and  hold  communion. 
This  arrangement  lasted  more  than  half  a  century. 

Several  of  these  visits  from  the  Philadelphia  pastors  receive 
special  mention  in  the  Haliesche  Nachrichten.  Brunnholtz  vis- 
ited them  in  1749,  and  again  in  1752,  at  which  time  he  promised 
them,  if  possible,  to  see  to  it  that  they  should  be  visited  more 
frequently.  In  1760  Pastor  Handschuh  visited  them,  accompa- 
nied by  part  of  his  own  church  council  of  Philadelphia,  for  the 
purpose  of  holding  communion.  It  was  on  the  24th  day  of  June, 
and  a  large  congregation  had  gathered  for  worship — some  coming 
more  than  thirty  miles  through  all  the  summer  heat.  On  this  oc- 
casion twelve  children  were  baptized,  and  one  hundred  and  twenty 
communed.  After  Pastor  Brunnholtz  died  Pastor  Handschuh  was 
too  busy  to  find  any  time  for  Friesburg,  and  they  were  without  a 
single  visit  from  a  regularly  ordained  minister  for  two  years. 

In  1760  Pastor  Henry  Melchior  Miihlenberg  spent  a  week  with 
them.  At  this  time  one  hundred  and  twenty  five  communed. 
It  was  from  the  8th  to  the  14th  of  June,  and  he  lodged  with  Mr. 
Jacob  Fries,  from  whom  the  place  has  taken  its  name.  The  house 
in  which  Miihlenberg  then  lodged  is  still  standing.  It  is  now  oc- 
cupied by  a  member  of  the  congregation,  and  our  young  people 
of  the  Christian  Endeavor  Society  will  hold  their  next  social  in 
the  very  room  where  that  venerable  pioneer  of  Lutheranism  in 
America  spent  the  summer  evenings  one  hundred  and  thirty-two 
years  ago. 

In  1 763  he  again  visited  the  congregation,  bringing  with  him 
his  wife  and  daughter.     At  this  time  he  visited  the  now  aged 


SKETCHES   OF   CONGREGATIONS.  5  I 

Jacob  M.  Miller,  who,  having  infused  new  life  into  the  little  band 
in  its  infancy,  continued  a  zealous  member  of  the  congregation 
until  his  death. 

The  above  arrangement  of  supplies  from  the  Philadelphia  min- 
isters continued  with  more  or  less  interruption  until  1800.  In 
that  year  the  school-master  of  the  congregation  was  licensed  to 
preach  for  them.  His  connection  with  them  as  pastor  was,  how- 
ever, of  short  duration.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Wm.  Baeles, 
one  of  Dr.  Helmuth's  theological  students,  1808-18 10.  Then 
followed  Rev.  C.  F.  Cruse,  1819-1824,  who  subsequently  entered 
the  Episcopal  Church  in  New  York  State.  During  his  pastorate 
the  congregation  had  dwindled  down  to  forty-three  communicant 
members.  From  1833-35  Rev.  Mark  Harpel  served  them ; 
from  1835-37  Rev.  W.  M.  Reynolds,  who  translated  Acrelius' 
"  History  of  New  Sweden,"  &c.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  Jacob 
C.  Duy,  1837-39.  In  1839  R-ev-  Edw.  Town  served  them  a  short 
while;  from  1842-51  Rev.  John  R.  Willox  ;  from  April  1852  to 
October  1854,  Rev.  A.  L.  Bridgeman ;  from  1855-57  Rev. 
Ferdinand  Berkemeyer  ;  from  1858-66  Rev.  J.  N.  Unruh.  Rev. 
Unruh  found  the  congregation  very  small  and  disheartened.  Un- 
der his  care  it  again  revived  and  became  very  strong.  He  was 
followed  by  Rev.  Sylvander  Curtis  ;  then  by  Rev.  J.  W.  Lake  from 
1871-74  ;  from  1874-79  by  Rev.  P.  M.  Rightmyer  ;  from  1879-81 
by  Rev.  W.  P.  Evans.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  A.  W.  Lentz,  1882- 
86,  and  he  in  1887  by  Rev.  J.  E.  Dietterich,  now  pastor  of  the 
newly  organized  mission  at  Bridgeton,  New  Jersey. 

The  congregation  belonged  to  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania 
from  the  organization  of  that  body  until  1842.  Then  Pastor  Wil- 
lox left  the  Ministerium,  and  took  the  congregation  with  him  into 
the  newly  organized  East  Pennsylvania  Synod.  With  this  Synod 
it  remained  until  the  New  Jersey  Synod  was  formed.  When  that 
was  merged  into  the  New  York  and  New  Jersey  Synod,  the  con- 
gregation became  a  member  of  the  latter  body.  It  was  brought 
back  into  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod  again  by  Rev.  Dietterich 
in  May,  1891.  Its  present  pastor  is  Rev.  S.  J.  McDowell,  of  the 
Class  of  1892  of  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Gettysburg. 

The  congregation  is  in  a  good  condition,  having  a  membership 
of  two  hundred,  with  a  Sunday-school  of  about  two  hundred  and 


52  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

fifty  members,  and  a  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.,  numbering  about  ninety 
members.  The  congregation  supports  a  pastor,  and  has  preach- 
ing twice  each  Lord's  Day,  and  a  midweek  prayer  meeting.  The 
value  of  the  church  property  is  estimated  at  $10,000. 

May  God's  blessing  rest  upon  this  ancient  land-mark,  and  ever 
assist  it  in  securing  and  supporting  faithful  men  to  administer 
in  it  the  divinely-appointed  means  of  grace.  That  it  may  close 
its  history  with  pastors  as  pious  and  zealous  in  the  cause  of  Christ 
as  were  the  devoted  fathers  who  cared  for  it  in  its  infancy,  is  our 
sincere  prayer. 


II.    SCHAFFERSTOWN  CHARGE  :  BRICKERVILLE,  LAN- 
CASTER CO.;  SCHAEFFERSTOWN,  LEBANON  CO. 

BY    REV.  M.  FERNSLER. 

i.  St.  John's,  Brickerville. 

The  old  Warwick  church,  with  which  the  present  St.  John's 
congregation  claims  historic  identity,  was  organized  by  Rev. 
John  Caspar  Stoever,  in  the  year  1  730.  Thirty-six  names  of  male 
members  appear  on  the  records.  Rev.  Stoever  served  until  1743. 
Then  records  are  silent  until  1770.  In  the  year  1743  the  Penns, 
John,  Thomas  and  Richard,  issued  a  patent  for  thirty-five  acres 
of  land,  in  trust,  for  the  use  of  this  church  forever. 

From  1770  to  1773,  the  Rev.  H.  M.  Muhlenberg  was  pastor. 
Rev.  Dr,  Helmuth  served  from  the  spring  of  1774  to  May,  1775  ; 
Rev.  Schwarback,  of  Virginia,  from  May,  1775,  to  some  time  in 
1776.  Rev.  Helmuth  again  served  until  some  time  in  1777,  when 
Rev.  Stoever,  now  aged,  again  took  charge,  "  preaching  as  much 
as  he  could,  being  sickly,"  until  1779.  In  this  year,  "on  Good 
Friday,  May  13,  he  administered  the  communion  to  the  children 
newly  confirmed,  and  in  the  afternoon  of  that  day  died."  Rev.  J. 
D.  Schroeder  took  charge  in  1780.  and  left  in  1781.  Aug.  12, 
1806,  the  corner-stone  of  the  present  brick  church  building  was 
laid,  the  Revs.  Emanuel  Schultze  and  John  Plitt  officiating.  On 
October  25,  1807,  it  was  dedicated;  Revs.  Schultze,  Dr.  H.  M. 


SKETCHES   OF   CONGREGATIONS.  53 

Miihlenberg,  and  Dr.  George  Lochman,  of  Lebanon,  were  present 
on  the  occasion.  Rev.  Schultze  had  been  pastor  for  some  years. 
He  preached  his  last  sermon  on  November  20,  1808,  and  March 
n,  1809,  he  died.  About  this  time  the  Schaefferstown  Lutheran 
church  united  with  that  at  Brickerville,  and  they  jointly  elected 
the  Rev.  Wm.  Baetes,  of  Philadelphia,  who  took  charge  July  8, 
1 8 10.  In  June,  18 14,  Rev.  Baetes  moved  into  the  newly-built 
brick  parsonage,  now  standing  near  the  Brickerville  brick  church. 
In  1 81 5  the  old  school-house  belonging  to  this  church  was  re- 
built. After  serving  for  twenty-six  years,  Rev.  Baetes  preached 
his  farewell  sermon  on  August  14,  1836.  The  "honorable" 
Charles  Philip  Miller,  of  Milton,  Pa.,  having  been  called,  moved 
into  the  parsonage  September  25,  1836,  and  served  as  pastor 
until  November  28,  1841.  The  churches  "  Swamp,  Kisselberger, 
Weisecher  and  Manheim,  united  with  Brickerville"  in  forming  a 
pastoral  charge,  and  called  Rev.  Christopher  G.  Frederick,  who 
moved  into  the  Brickerville  parsonage  July  29,  1842,  preaching 
his  first  sermon  as  pastor  August  7,  1842.  He  resigned  and  left 
in  1849.  ^ev-  T.  T.  Jeager  served  as  pastor  from  1850  to  1852  ; 
Rev.  Charles  Rees  from  1854  to  1856. 

The  following  facts  are  gathered  from  the  "  paper  books." 
The  Rev.  M.  Harpel  was  called  as  pastor  and  took  charge  in 
1859.  He  served  until  1870,  when  he  resigned.  When  the 
Synod  of  Pennsylvania  withdrew  from  the  General  Synod,  Mr. 
Harpel  preferred  not  to  go  with  them.  At  the  meeting  of  the 
East  Pennsylvania  Synod,  in  1867,  he  appeared  with  George  W. 
Steinmetz,  Esq.,  as  delegate-elect,  and  with  a  formal  application 
signed  by  many  of  the  members  of  the  congregation,  including 
eleven  of  the  church-council.  Both  Mr.  Harpel  and  the  congre- 
gation were  cordially  received  by  that  body.  A  suit  brought  by 
disaffected  parties  for  the  possession  of  the  church  property  in 
1868  was  lost. 

Rev.  S.  S.  Engel  was  called  as  pastor,  and  served  from  the 
spring  of  1870  until  1874.  On  May  23,  1874,  Rev.  W.  S.  Porr 
was  elected  as  pastor,  serving  until  January,  1875,  when  he  moved 
to  Lancaster,  continuing  his  services  in  the  congregation,  however, 
until  June  27,  1875.  A  committee,  consisting  of  Revs.  D.  P. 
Rosenmiller,  G.  J.  Martz  and  W.  I.  Cutter,  appointed    by  the 


54  EAST   PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

Lebanon  Conference  of  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod,  now  sup- 
plied the  pulpit  until  December  20,  1875,  when  Rev.  Cutter 
moved  into  the  parsonage  as  the  regular  pastor-elect. 

Already  in  August,  1875,  the  desire  of  some  members  "once 
again  to  hear  a  man  from  the  Old  Synod"  having  been  granted, 
Rev.  Thomas  Jeager  preached  in  the  church.  He  at  once  made 
a  further  appointment,  and  the  vacant  alternate  Sundays  were 
from  this  time  utilized  by  various  ministers  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Ministerium,  until  at  a  meeting  called  by  them  January  14,  1876, 
but  neither  announced  nor  sanctioned  by  the  acting  pastor,  Rev. 
Cutter,  and  his  adherents,  a  resolution  was  passed  to  sever  the 
connection  of  the  congregation  with  the  East  Pennsylvania 
Synod.     Both  parties  continued  to  use  the  church  building. 

A  bill  of  complaint  was  entered  in  the  Lancaster  Court,  Jan- 
uary 26,  1876,  praying  that  an  injunction  be  issued,  restraining 
the  party  adhering  to  the  Ministerium  from  entering  the  church. 
The  master's  decision,  adverse  to  the  granting  of  such  injunction, 
was  sustained  by  the  Court. 

In  September,  1878,  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod,  in  re-dis- 
tricting pastorates,  united  the  Brickerville  and  Schaefferstown 
churches  to  constitute  a  pastoral  charge.  Rev.  M.  Fernsler, 
having  been  called,  entered  the  parsonage  October  28,  1878,  and 
preached  his  opening  sermon  in  the  church  on  Sunday,  Novem- 
ber 10,  1878.  He  was  installed  as  pastor,  January  19,  1879,  by 
Revs.  W.  S.  Porr  and  J.  Peter,  a  committee  appointed  for  that 
purpose  by  the  President  of  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod. 

A  suit  for  ejectment  having  been  brought  by  the  other  party, 
June  4,  1879,  the  case  was  tried  in  December,  1881,  and  Septem- 
ber, 1883,  the  jury  in  each  case  failing  to  find  a  verdict.  The 
third  trial,  in  September,  1884,  was  decided  in  favor  of  the  plain- 
tiffs, but  this  judgment  was  reversed  by  the  Supreme  Court,  and 
a  new  trial  ordered.  The  case  was  tried  for  the  fourth  time  in 
February,  1886,  resulting  again  in  favor  of  the  plaintiffs,  the  ver- 
dict being  finally  confirmed  by  the  Supreme  Court,  October  4, 
1886. 

This  decision  appears  to  have  rested  upon  the  recognition  of 
the  meeting  held  on  January  14,  1876,  and  the  opinion  that  the 
members  who,  with   Rev.  Cutter,  refused  to   participate  in  that 


SKETCHES   OF   CONGREGATIONS.  55 

meeting,  really  thereby  seceded  and  forfeited  their  rights  in  the 
congregation.  The  defendants,  upon  the  other  hand,  have  always 
contended  that  the  meeting  in  question  was  irregular,  and  its 
recognition  by  the  courts  the  result  of  a  failure  to  give  due  weight 
to  some  established  principles  of  Lutheran  Church  polity. 

Upon  learning  the  final  issue  of  the  case,  Rev.  Mr.  Asay,  pastor 
of  the  "James  Coleman  Memorial  Church,"  on  the  Elizabeth 
Farms,  appeared  at  the  Lutheran  parsonage  with  full  authority, 
and  invited  the  Lutheran  people  to  come  and  hold  their  services 
in  said  Memorial  Church.  This  Christian  offer  was  gratefully  ac- 
cepted, and  regular  services  there  held  until  the  new  house  ot 
worship,  forty  by  sixty  feet,  erected  in  sight  of  the  old  church 
building,  was  finished.  The  latter  was  dedicated  August  7,  1889, 
Dr.  E.  Huber  and  Revs.  W.  H.  Lewars  and  C.  H.  Asay  assisting 
the  pastor.  A  membership  of  one  hundred  and  sixty,  with  their 
pastor,  entered  the  beautiful  new  church  with  their  hearts  full  of 
gratitude  and  praise  to  God.  In  November  following  forty-seven 
more  members  were  added.  Many  have  since  then  died  or  re- 
moved. Still  others  live  at  such  a  distance  that  they  are  unable 
to  attend  services,  and  are  hence  not  included  in  the  number 
(one  hundred  and  fifty-two)  reported  at  the  last  meeting  of  Synod. 
Thousands  of  dollars  were  spent  by  these  people  during  the  long 
and  wearisome  litigations.  In  consequence,  there  is  still  some 
debt  resting  on  the  new  house  of  worship,  but  this  is  being  re- 
duced. The  outlook  is  fair,  services  are  well  attended,  and 
harmony  prevails. 

2.    SCHAEFFERSTOWN. 

The  Lutheran  church  at  this  place  was  erected  in  1765,  the 
steeple  being  built  two  years  later.  In  1819  considerable  repair- 
ing was  done  inside  and  some  alterations  made.  The  church 
was  repainted  about  twenty  years  ago.  In  1884  it  was  again  re- 
modeled, at  a  cost  of  $6,100.  The  steeple  was  taken  down 
from  the  west  and  put  up  at  the  east  end.  The  west  gable  wall 
was  removed,  and  sixteen  feet  added  to  the  length  of  the  build- 
ing. The  interior  was  entirely  renewed.  Opposite  the  pulpit 
stands  a  pipe  organ  said  to  be  over  one  hundred  years  old. 
Close    to    the   church   building   is    a    small    Sunday-school   and 


56  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

prayer  house,  controlled  by  separate  trustees.  This  is  really  at 
present  an  encumbrance,  as  it  prevents  the  erection  by  the  con- 
gregation of  a  suitable  building  for  the  Sunday-school. 

The  congregation  worshiping  in  this  ancient  temple  was 
organized  some  time  before  the  erection  of  the  building.  There 
exists  a  glimpse  of  burial  records  as  far  back  as  1720.  It  ap- 
pears that  pastoral  functions  were  exercised  at  one  period  by  C. 
F.  Muhlenberg,  M.  D.  Rev.  Emanuel  Schultze  was  apparently 
the  first  regular  minister  who  officiated  in  the  church.  Whether 
he  served  the  congregation  which  was  styled  the  "  Heidelberg 
Gemeinde  "  (so  called  from  the  ancient  name  of  the  town)  ex- 
isting prior  to  the  organization  of  this  church,  we  have  no  means 
of  ascertaining.  His  pastorate  extended  from  1765  until  1809. 
Our  oldest  citizens  remember  him  as  continuing  to  labor  when 
quite  aged  and  infirm.  The  next  pastor,  serving  with  great 
earnestness  from  about  18 10  until  1836,  was  Rev.  Wm.  Baetes. 
The  third  pastor,  from  1837  until  1849,  was  Rev.  Jonathan 
Ruthrauff,  who  was  fervent  and  undaunted  in  his  preaching. 
Rev.  J.  M.  Deitzler  served  faithfully  from  1850  until  1865,  when 
the  pastorate  of  Rev.  U.  Graves,  lasting  about  one  year,  followed. 
On  April  n,  1866,  Rev.  M.  Fernsler  was  unanimously  elected 
pastor,  with  the  understanding  that  the  church  alone  should 
thenceforth  constitute  a  pastoral  charge.  The  Synod  failing  to 
sanction  the  division  of  the  charge,  Rev.  Fernsler  declined  the 
call.  Rev.  G.  J.  Martz  was  elected  August  21,  1867,  and  served 
until  November  1,  1878.  Rev.  M.  Fernsler,  the  present  pastor, 
preached  his  introductory  sermon,  December  r,  1878. 

Very  interesting  centennial  services  were  held  in  1865,  during 
which  addresses  and  sermons  were  delivered  by  Revs.  E.  Huber, 
of  Hummelstown,  Daniel  Schindler,  of  Lebanon,  J.  M.  Deitzler,  of 
Annville,  E.  S.  Henry,  of  Pine  Grove,  and  U.  Graves,  the  pastor. 
Many  of  the  facts  contained  in  the  above  have  been  gleaned  from 
a  historical  sketch  prepared  by  a  committee  for  that  occasion. 

Since  the  days  of  Rev.  Ruthrauff,  meetings  for  prayer  and 
mutual  exhortation  have  been  maintained,  resulting  in  great 
good.  The  charter  of  the  congregation,  obtained  in  1855,  gives 
the  rights  of  membership  to  all  persons  admitted  who  shall  con- 
tribute annually  a  sum  not  less  than  fifty  cents  towards  the  cur- 


SKETCHES    OF   CONGREGATIONS.  5  7 

rent  expenses.  In  the  light  of  this  provision,  the  membership  is 
about  four  hundred  and  fifty.  Amid  many  discouragements,  the 
pastor  and  his  faithful  helpers  are  laboring  on  in  hope. 

STATIONS   ABSORBED — RICHLAND   AND   TEMPLEMAN. 

Richland  is  a  small  town,  two  miles  east  of  Myerstown,  along 
the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  railroad.  At  this  place  a  small 
congregation  was  organized  twenty-five  years  ago  by  Rev.  G.  J. 
Martz.  A  small  house  of  worship,  still  there,  was  erected  jointly 
by  the  Lutherans,  Reformed  and  Tunkers  or  German  Baptists, 
each  party  being  entitled  to  hold .  services  every  third  Sunday. 
When  the  present  pastor  of  Schaefferstown  charge  commenced 
his  services  here,  there  were  about  a  dozen  members.  He  for 
some  years  continued  to  hold  services  regularly  every  three  weeks. 
Finding,  however,  no  material  available  to  build  up  with  without 
robbing  others,  and  the  membership  growing  less  by  death  and 
removal,  the  few  good  members  were  transferred  to  Schaeffers- 
town church,  and  no  services  have  been  held  there  by  the  present 
pastor  during  the  last  year  ;  a  number  of  the  people  there  belong 
to  churches  within  a  few  miles. 

Templeman  Chapel  is  a  small  Sunday-school  house,  erected  by 
the  community,  one  mile  east  of  Cornwall,  in  the  spring  of  1887. 
Provision  was  made  in  the  charter  that  the  Lutherans  of  the  Gen- 
eral Synod  and  the  Reformed  could  hold  services  there  alternately. 
A  number  of  Lutheran  members  having  moved  there  from  the 
Schaefferstown  and  Briekerville  churches,  it  was  supposed  best  to 
organize  and  commence  services.  The  pastor  of  Schaefferstown 
promised  to  preach  in  the  afternoon  every  four  weeks. 

An  organization  was  effected  in  May,  1887,  with  twenty- two 
members,  and  regular  services  were  held  every  four  weeks.  A 
few  were  added,  but  the  number  in  a  few  years  so  decreased  by 
death  and  by  removals,  that  for  about  a  year  or  so  no  services 
have  been  held  there  on  the  Lutheran  side.  Within  a  short  dis- 
tance there  is  a  regular  General  Council  church,  with  a  fine  house 
of  worship,  and  supplied  every  two  weeks  with  preaching  by  a 
regular  pastor  from  Lebanon.  There  are  still  a  few  members  re- 
maining at  Templeman  (now  Rexmont)  and  their  desire  is  that 
services  should  again  be  held  there. 


58 


EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 


III.  ANNVILLE   CHARGE,    LEBANON    CO.— HILL    AND 
ANNVILLE. 

BY  REV.  \V.  H.  LEWARS. 

i.  Hill  Church   (Berg  Kirche). 

This  church  is  located  in  what  is  now  North  Annville  town- 
ship, Lebanon  county,  Pa.,  about  two  and  one-half  miles  north- 
west of  the  city  of  Lebanon,  and  is  the  mother  of  all  the  Lutheran 
churches  in  this  vicinity. 

It  has  from  the  beginning  to  the  present  been  a  union  church, 
in  which  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  congregations  have  worship. 


BERG   KIRCHE. 

The  first  edifice  was  erected  in  1733.  The  material  consisted 
of  roughly  hewn  logs.  These  also  served  as  seats,  quite  in  con- 
trast with  the  modern  pew.  For  many  years  there  were  no 
stoves  in  the  building. 

During  the  winter  months  a  fire  was  built  on  the  outside  with 
logs,  of  which  there  was  an  abundance,  around  which  the  people 
gathered  awaiting  the  arrival  of  the  minister. 

When,  finally,  stoves  were  introduced,  considerable  and  serious 
difficulties  arose  in  the  congregations. 

Some  idea  of  the  primitive  history  of  this  church  can  be  gained 
from  the  following : 


SKETCHES   OF    CONGREGATIONS.  59 

Rev.  George  Lochman,  D.  D.,  in  speaking  of  churches  in 
Lebanon  county  in  181 2,  says  :  "  Unter  diesen  ist  die  Berg  Kirche 
Gemeine,  die  aelteste.  Schon  im  Jahr  1733  ist  sie  gessammalet 
worden,  zu  einer  Zeit  da  die  Indianer  noch  haefige  Einfaelle  in 
die  Gegend  machten  und  mordeten." 

He  further  states  that  people  often  took  their  guns  with  them 
to  church  to  defend  themselves  against  the  savages. 

During  divine  services,  men  with  loaded  muskets  were  placed 
at  the  doors  as  sentinels.  According  to  the  first  records  kept,  it 
was  called  "  the  Church  on  the  Quittapahilla." 

Its  Lutheran  pastors  have  been — 1 733—1 779,  extending  over 
46  years,  John  Caspar  Stover;  1 779-1 794,  a  pastorate  of  15 
years,  Frederick  Theodore  Melsheimer ;  1794-1815,3  pastorate 
of  21  years,  George  Lochman;  1815-1836,  a  pastorate  of  21 
years,  William  G.  Ernst.  In  1836  Rev.  Jonathan  Ruthrauff  be- 
came the  pastor,  continuing  to  serve  about  13  years. 

In  1850  A.  C.  Wedekind  made  the  first  entry  in  a  Record 
commenced  by  him.  He  made  the  last  entry  September 
1 8th,  1853,  presumably  serving  the  congregation  in  connection 
with  Lebanon  (Zion)  about  three  years.  He  was  followed  by  J. 
M.  Deitzler,  about  1856,  Christian  A.  Fetzer,  1 860-1 863,  and 
George  P.  Weaver,  1 863-1 864. 

Rev.  J.  M.  Deitzler,  who  followed,  made  his  first  entry  April 
16,  1865,  and  continued  to  serve  the  congregation  until  the 
spring  of  1890,  his  pastorate  extending  over  twenty-five  years. 

On  April  15,  1890,  the  present  pastor,  Rev.  W.  H.  Lewars,  en- 
tered the  field. 

The  first  pastor  and  his  wife  are  buried  in  the  "graveyard"  ad- 
joining the  church.  The  spot  where  their  bodies  repose  is  marked 
by  two  roughly  hewn  sandstones.  The  workmanship  is  crude  ; 
but  an  attempt  was  made  by  loving  hands  to  embellish  them  with 
art  in  the  shape  of  a  figure  representing  a  cherub.  With  great 
labor  and  patience  the  following  inscription  was  obtained — the 
peculiar  use,  as  well  as  want,  of  capitals  will  be  noticed  by  the 
reader,  as  well  as  discrepancies  in  orthography,  etc. 

Heir  Ruhet  in  seinem  erloser  entschlaffen  Johan  Casper  Stover 
erster  Evangel  Luthericher  prediger  in  pensilvanien,  ist  geboren  in 
Der  under  paflz*  D.  21  Dec  1707  er  zeigte  mit  seiner  Ehe  Frau 

*  Pfalz. 


60  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

Maria  Catharine  1 1  kinder  4  sein  in  die  ewigkeit  voran  gegangen, 
er  starb  D  13  May  1779  seines  alters  71  y  4  raon  3  wo  u  2  Tag. 

The  present  building,  which  is  the  second,  is  of  brick,  and  was 
erected   in   1837. 

A  very  quaint  old  Record,  bound  in  rawhide,  having  entries  of 
baptisms,  deaths,  etc.,  as  early  as  1 734,  is  in  the  possession  of  the 
present  pastor. 

A  German  Bible  printed  at  Halle  in  1 793,  and  bought  by  the 
congregation  in  1798  for  16  shillings  and  6  pence,  is  still  in  use 
in  conducting  the  altar  service. 

A  communion  cup  bearing  date  of  1 745  is  also  in  possession  of 
the  congregation. 

There  is  an  endowment  of  eleven  hundred  dollars  upon  this 
church  for  the  benefit  of  the  Lutheran  congregation. 

2.  First  Lutheran  Church,  Annville. 

In  1804  members  of  the  Lutheran  congregation  worshiping  in 
the  Hill  Church  (Berg  Kirche),  who  lived  at  and  near  Annville, 
concluded  to  organize  a  church  at  home,  and,  accordingly,  in 
conjunction  with  members  of  the  Reformed  denomination,  erected 
a  fine  stone  church  building  upon  a  lot  donated  by  Martin  LHrich 
and  Adam  Reugel. 

The  two  congregations  worshiped  in  this  edifice  until  1871, 
when  for  various  reasons  a  separation  was  deemed  advisable, 
whereupon  the  Reformed  organization  purchased  the  interest  of 
the  Lutherans  in  the  property  for  three  thousand  dollars,  and  the 
latter  erected  a  building,  which  is  now  occupied  by  the  above- 
named  congregation. 

The  corner-stone  was  laid  in  1S72.  At  the  time  when  the  sep- 
aration between  the  Lutherans  and  the  Reformed  took  place,  a 
division  also  occurred  among  the  Lutherans,  the  difficulty  having 
arisen  from  a  difference  of  opinion  in  regard  to  what  were  then 
known  as  "  new  measures."  That  portion  of  the  congregation 
antagonistic  to  what  they  regarded  extreme  practices  withdrew, 
and  organized  St.  Paul's  church  (General  Council). 

The  names  of  the  pastors  who  have  served  this  congregation 
since  1804  are  :  Revs.  George  Lochman,  1 804-181 5  ;  William 
G.  Krnst,  1815-1849  ;   G.  F.   Krotel,    1849-1853;   H.   S.  Miller, 


SKETCHES   OF   CONGREGATIONS. 


61 


1854-1859  (?)  ;  Wm.  S.  Porr,  1859-1860;  C.  A.  Fetzer,  1860- 
1863  ;  Geo.  P.  Weaver,  1863-1864  ;  J.  M.  Deitzler,  1865-1890; 
and  W.  H.  Lewars,  1890  to  the  present. 

The  church  edifice  cost  ten  thousand  dollars,  and  is  built  of 
limestone.  The  lot  upon  which  it  stands  was  donated  to  the 
congregation  by  John  D.  Biever,  who  paid  about  one-half  the 
cost  of  the  building.  He  also  erected  a  two-story  brick  "  sexton's 
house "  on  a  lot  adjoining  the  church,  and  bought  a  two-story 


FIRST   EVANGELICAL   LUTHERAN    CHURCH,  ANNVILLE,  PA. 

brick  house  about  one-half  square  from  the  church  and  donated 
it  as  a  parsonage.  He  subsequently  determined  to  build  a  par- 
sonage on  a  lot  adjoining  the  church,  on  the  side  opposite  the 
"sexton's  house,"  but  died  before  this  was  accomplished.  His 
widow,  Mrs.  Rebecca  Biever,  afterwards  carried  out  his  inten- 
tions, in  the  erectioa  of  a  substantial  and  commodious  brick 
parsonage. 

He  also  placed  an  endowment  upon  the  church  to  the  amount 
of  three  thousand  dollars.  This  amount  was  supplemented  by  his 
widow  to  the  extent  of  two  thousand  one  hundred  dollars,  she 


62  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

having  made  the  church  her  residuary  legatee.  The  total  inter- 
est-bearing fund  is  $5,100.  In  addition  to  this,  a  permanent  fund 
of  one  thousand  dollars  was  placed  upon  the  cemetery,  the 
amount  coming  from  the  same  estate. 

It  is  but  due  to  say,  that  the  commendable  generosity  here 
recorded  grew  out  of  a  life-long  Christian  character.  The  piety 
of  Mr.  Biever  was  acknowledged  by  all  who  knew  him.  He 
assumed  a  directing  and  sustaining  influence  in  the  church  for 
half  a  century,  and  for  forty-nine  years  was  the  Superintendent  of 
the  Sunday-school. 

The  congregation  was  served  for  almost  a  quarter  of  a  century 
by  Rev.  J.  M.  Deitzler,  during  which  time  the  church  and  other 
buildings  were  erected.  The  present  pastor,  Rev.  W.  H.  Lewars, 
entered  the  field  in  April,  1890. 


IV.  SPRINGTOWN  CHARGE,  BUCKS  CO.— SPRINGFIELD, 
DURHAM,  SPRINGTOWN. 

BY  REV.  O.  H.  MELCHOR. 

The  churches  constituting  the  present  "  Springtown  Charge  " 
were  for  many  years  a  part  of  the  "  Kintersville  charge,"  in  con- 
nection with  the  congregations  of  Nockamixon  and  Lower  Tini- 
cum.  The  pastoral  records  of  all  these  congregations  indicate 
that  from  the  dates  cf  organization,  respectively,  they  were  all 
served,  with  rare  exceptions,  by  the  same  pastors  until  the  year 
1879. 

1.  Trinity,  Springfield. 

The  oldest  of  the  five,  Trinity  congregation  of  Springfield,  was 
organized  about  1 75 1,  and  for  twelve  years  was  served  by  sup- 
plies or  missionaries. 

In  1763  John  Michael  Enderlein  became  pastor.  He  was  fol- 
lowed by  Rev.  Augustus  Herman  Schmidt.  Rev.  Peter  Ahl  be- 
came pastor  in  1789,  and  served  until  1797.  Rev.  John  Conrad 
Jeagerwas  pastor  from  1797  to  1801  ;  Rev.  John  Paul  Ferdinand 
Kramer,  from  1801  to  1803;  Rev.  John  Nicholas  Mensch,  from 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  63 

1803  to  1823  ;  Rev.  Henry  S.  Miller,  from  1823  to  1838  ;  Rev.  C. 
F.  Welden,  from  1838  to  1842  ;  Rev.  C.  P.  Miller,  from  October, 
1842,  to  September,  1865  ;  Rev.  W.  S.  Emery,  from  December, 
1865,  to  July,  1879,  at  which  time  the  present  pastor  took  charge. 
Tradition  claims  that  a  log  church  was  built  about  1751,  and 
that  it  was  also  used  as  a  school-house.  Be  that  as  it  may,  be- 
yond the  memory  of  the  oldest  inhabitant  a  school-house  has 
stood  under  the  shadow  of  the  church.  The  first  stone  edifice 
was  erected  in  1763.  This  was  replaced  by  another  in  18 16,  and 
the  present  one  was  built  in  1872. 

2.  Durham. 

Prior  to  181 2  there  were  three  church  organizations  in  Durham 
township.  The  earliest  account  of  any  religious  services  is  dated 
1728,  and  these  were  held  in  a  school-house  connected  with  the 
Durham  Iron  Works.  The  first  organization  was  an  English  Pres- 
byterian one  in  1  742,  at  the  Iron  Works.  Later,  there  was  an  in- 
flux of  Germans,  and  a  German  Presbyterian  church  (merged, 
finally,  into  the  German  Reformed )  was  organized  in  1 790,  which 
worshiped  in  a  barn.  At  a  still  later  period,  services  were  held  in 
another  school-house  by  German  Lutherans  and  German  Re- 
formed. 

There  is  no  record  of  the  organization  of  a  German  Lutheran 
congregation  ;  but  on  the  8th  of  August,  1812,  these  three  bodies 
united  and  purchased  an  acre  of  ground,  in  the  township  of  Dur- 
ham, near  the  Iron  Works,  and  appointed  trustees  to  erect  a 
house  for  the  worship  of  God,  to  be  known  as  "  Durham  Union 
church,"  for  the  joint  use  of  the  English  Presbyterians,  the  Ger- 
man Reformed  and  the  Lutherans.  In  1876  Presbyterian  services 
were  finally  abandoned,  and  the  church  property  now  is  owned 
jointly  by  the  Reformed  and  Lutherans. 

The  church  edifice  of  181 2  was  replaced  by  a  handsome  stone 
building  in  1857,  which  was  remodeled  in  1889,  presenting  a 
handsome  interior,  while  without  it  is  "beautiful  for  situation,  the 
joy  of  the  whole  earth." 

From  181 2  there  are  data  for  a  history  of  the  congregation. 
Rev.  John  Nicholas  Mensch  was  at  this  time  the  pastor,  serving 
from  181 1  to  1823,  preaching  also  at  Springfield  and  Lower  Tini- 
cura.     He  was  succeeded  by  the  following  : 


64  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

Revs.  Henry  S.  Miller,  1823-1838;  C.  F.  Welden,  1838-1842  ; 
C.  P.  Miller,  1842-1865  ;  W.  S.  Emery,  1865-1879;  O.  H. 
Melchor,  July  1,  1879  t0  tne  present  time. 

The  records  show  that  down  to  1879  all  of  these  pastors  also 
served  the  congregations  of  Tinicum  and  Springfield. 

3.  Christ's,  Springtown. 

This  was  a  point  for  occasional  preaching  as  early  as  i860,  but 
it  did  not  become  a  regular  station  until  1871.  It  is  in  reality  a 
child  of  the  Springfield  church.  The  corner-stone  for  a  union 
church  was  laid  on  May  18,  1872.  This  church  was  for  the  joint 
use  of  the  Lutherans,  Reformed,  Presbyterians  and  Mennonites, 
and  is  known  as  "  Christ's  Church,  of  Springtown."  A  Lutheran 
congregation  was  regularly  organized  on  April  6,  1874,  by  Rev. 
W.  S.  Emery,  pastor. 

In  the  spring  of  1879,  the  Kintnersville  charge,  by  the  recom- 
mendation of  Conference,  divided,  Tinicum  and  Nockamixon 
forming  one  charge,  and  Durham,  Springfield  and  Springtown  the 
other.  The  latter  at  once  extended  a  unanimous  call  to  the 
present  pastor,  who  accepted,  and  took  charge  July  1,  1879. 

The  pastor  being  a  member  of  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod, 
and  the  congregations  being  a  part  of  the  Ministerium  of  Penn- 
sylvania, the  congregations  voted,  with  but  three  negative  ballots 
at  Durham  and  two  at  Springfield,  to  sever  connection  with  the 
Ministerium  and  to  unite  with  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod. 
This  vote  was  taken  at  Durham  in  August,  1879,  an<^  at  Spring- 
field the  following  year.  Springtown  unanimously  followed  Dur- 
ham and  Springfield.  From  this  time  on,  the  history  of  these 
congregations  is  written  in  the  reports  of  the  East  Pennsylvania 
Synod. 

All  the  churches  of  this  charge  are  still  owned  jointly  by  the 
Lutherans  and  Reformed,  and  services  are  held  in  both  the  Eng- 
lish and  the  German  languages.  The  German  is,  however,  rapidly 
dying  out  in  the  Durham  congregation,  and  Springfield,  during 
the  present  pastorate,  has  introduced  English  services  at  stated 
intervals.  In  this  congregation  Pe?insylvania  German  is  spoken 
exclusively.  The  church  buildings  are  comparatively  new  and  all 
are  free  of  debt,  Durham  and  Springfield  having  handsome  pipe 
organs. 


SKETCHES   OF   CONGREGATIONS.  65 

V.    KINTNERSVILLE    CHARGE,    BUCKS    CO.— NOCKA- 
MIXON  AND  UPPER  TINICUM. 

BY  REV.  S.  S.  DIEHL. 
I.    NOCKAMIXON. 

The  Lutheran  congregation  of  Nockamixon  was  organized 
about  the  year  A.  D.  1752.  The  first  church  was  on  the  hill 
north  of  the  village  of  Ferndale.  In  181 2  the  Lutheran  and  Re- 
formed congregations  united  in  fellowship.  The  corner-stone  of 
the  first  Union  church  was  laid  on  Easter  Monday,  April  19,  18 13. 
The  corner-stone  of  the  present  structure  was  laid  July  3,  1875. 
The  church  seems  to  have  been  served  for  some  years  by  supplies. 
The  regular  pastors  were  as  follows  : 

Revs.  John  Michael  Enderlein,  1766;  Jacob  S.  Miller,  17 73; 
Peter  Ahl,  1789;  Augustus  Herman  Schmidt,  1798;  John  Paul 
Ferdinand  Kramer,  1801  ;  John  Nicholas  Mensch,  1803;  Henry 
S.  Miller,  1823  ;  C.  F.  Welden,  1838  ;  C.  P.  Miller,  1842  ;  W.  S. 
Emery,  1865  ;  O.  H.  Melchor,  1880  ;  S.  S.  Diehl,  1892. 

In  February,  1880,  the  congregation  decided  by  a  vote  of  69 
to  25  to  sever  its  connection  with  the  Pennsylvania  Synod  of  the 
General  Council,  and  to  connect  with  the  East  Pennsylvania 
Synod  of  the  General  Synod.  Immediately  after  this  decision, 
Rev.  O.  H.  Melchor,  a  member  of  the  congregation,  was  elected 
pastor.  The  congregation  then  joined  the  pastoral  charge  of 
Rev.  Melchor,  consisting  of  Durham,  Springfield  and  Springtown. 
Of  this  charge  the  congregation  was  a  part  till  January,  1892, 
when  the  charge  of  Rev.  Melchor  was  divided  and  Nockamixon, 
of  Rev.  Melchor's  charge,  and  Upper  Tinicum,  of  Rev.  Fleck's 
charge,  formed  a  new  charge,  electing  Rev.  Samuel  S.  Diehl, 
of  the  Gettysburg  Seminary,  as  the  first  pastor.  Several  of  the 
members  of  this  congregation  are  now  pastors  in  Lutheran 
churches,  namely,  Rev.  Wilson  Seiner,  of  Luthersburg,  Clear- 
field  Co.,  Rev.  O.  H.  Melchor,  of  Springtown,  Bucks  Co.,  Rev. 
D.  R.  Becker,  of  Palmyra,  Pa. 

2.  Upper  Tinicum. 
The  Upper  Tinicum  Lutheran  congregation  was  organized  by 


66  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

Rev.  John  R.  Willox,  Lutheran  pastor  at  Riegelsville,  who  held 
occasional  services  in  the  school-houses  of  the  vicinity.  As  a  re- 
sult there  was  a  general  desire  for  a  house  of  worship  in  the 
neighborhood.  The  corner-stone  of  the  new  church  was  laid  on 
Whitsunday,  1851,  and  the  dedication  occurred  in  the  autumn  of 
the  same  year.  This  church  was  always  served  in  connection 
with  Rieglesville.  The  pastors  serving  the  congregation  were  as 
follows  : 

Revs.  J.  R.  Willox,  185 1  ;  C.  L.  Keedy,  1862  ;  Nathan  Jeager, 
1863;  Theophilus  Heiiig,  1864;  D.  T.  Koser,  1877;  C.  L. 
Fleck,  1887;  S.  S.  Diehl,  1892. 

In  January,  1892,  the  congregation  decided  to  join  with  Nock- 
amixon  church  of  Rev.  Melchor's  charge  and  thus  form  a  new 
pastorate. 


VI.     WHITEMARSH  CHARGE,  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY 
— WHITEMARSH  AND  UPPER  DUBLIN. 

BY  REV.  MATTHIAS  SHEELEIOH,  D.  D. 
I.    WHITEMARSH. 

This  church  is  located  thirteen  miles  north  of  the  centre  of 
Philadelphia,  two  miles  above  the  corporate  limits  of  the  city. 
The  North  Pennsylvania  Railroad  runs  one  mile  east  of  the 
church.  The  Barren  Hill  church  is  four  miles  to  the  west.  In 
the  county  there  are  twenty-six  Lutheran  churches ;  five  being  in 
connection  with  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod,  and  twenty-one 
with  the  Pennsylvania  Synod. 

The  region  is  highly  picturesque.  From  an  eminence  in  the 
vicinity  twenty-two  places  of  worship  are  counted.  The  imagin- 
ary "marsh"  is  nowhere  visible,  either  on  lowland  or  highland. 
In  this  vicinity,  Gen.  Washington  rested  his  army  for  seven  weeks, 
in  1777,  after  the  battle  of  Germantown,  and  before  retiring  to 
Valley  Forge. 

According  to  a  declining  custom,  the  church  edifice  and  ceme- 
tery are  owned  conjointly  and  equally  with  a  German  Reformed 
congregation.     "The  Union  Church"  is  the  familiar  designation 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  67 

in  the  community.  June  14,  181 7,  is  the  date  of  the  first  formal 
meeting  for  organizing — now  75  years  ago. 

Those  present  were  identified  with  congregations  of  the  two  de- 
nominations named,  at  Germantown,  six  to  seven  miles  south- 
ward. Rev.  Caspar  Wack,  Reformed,  presided,  and  Jacob  Gil- 
bert, Lutheran,  served  as  secretary.  At  a  later  meeting,  January 
24,  1 8 18,  presided  over  by  Rev.  John  C.  Baker,  Lutheran,  it  was 
reported  that  Philip  Sellers  had  presented  the  lot  on  which  the 
church  now  stands  ;  to  which  adjoining  ground  was  directly  pur- 
chased. The  cost  of  the  edifice  and  furnishing  amounted  to 
$3,409.20. 

An  Act  of  Incorporation  was  secured,  approved  by  Governor 
Joseph  Hiester  on  March  30,  18 18.  The  corporate  title  reads, 
"  The  Trustees  of  the  Union  Church  of  Whitemarsh." 

A  meeting  was  held  at  the  Union  school-house  of  Whitemarsh, 
October  18,  181 8,  to  elect  officers  for  the  respective  congrega- 
tions. The  names  of  those  chosen  at  this  first  election  are  Jacob 
Gilbert,  Christian  Grafley,  Henry  Daub,  William  Egbert,  Peter 
Shull,  Daniel  Gilbert  and  John  Trexler,  on  the  Lutheran  side  ;  and 
Henry  Scheetz,  John  Haney,  John  Miller,  Jacob  Kibler,  William 
Bitting,  Henry  Scheetz,  Jr.,  and  Jacob  Wentz,  for  the  Reformed 
side. 

In  1830,  the  names  of  officers  were  the  following  :  Lutheran — 
Christopher  Grafley,  Daniel  Nace,  John  Dutill,  Jacob  Ettinger, 
John  Katz,  Samuel  Dewees,  Samuel  Felty,  and  John  Dager ;  Re- 
formed— Henry  Scheetz,  John  Haney,  Abraham  Zimmerman, 
John  Y.  Henk,  George  Streevy,  Henry  Scheetz,  Jr.,  John  Kehr, 
and  Francis  Kehr. 

Turning  to  the  records  of  1840,  the  following  new  names  ap- 
pear among  the  Lutheran  officers :  Daniel  Bickle,  William 
Egbert,  Henry  Harner,  Samuel  Evans,  John  Dager,  William 
Shugard,  and  Bernard  Bisbing.  In  1850,  still  other  new  names 
appear  in  the  Council :  Daniel  Slifer,  John  Kuhler,  Abraham 
Slifer,  John  Sorber  and  —  Neiman. 

The  present  Lutheran  Council  consists  of  the  following  :  Trus- 
tees— Samuel  Van  Winkle,  and  Charles  C.  Slifer  ;  Elders — George 
D.  Heist,  Mahlon  F.  Scheetz  and  Samuel  Yeakle  ;  Deacons — 
Belding  B.  Slifer,  William  S.  Kerper,  and  Frank  S.  Harner. 


68  EAST   PENNSYLVANIA   SYNOD. 

The  church  edifice  is  of  stone.  It  was  erected  in  1818;  was 
remodeled  and  extended  in  1861  ;  and  again,  in  1882,  under- 
went a  general  renovation  and  improvement.  Extensive  shedding 
was  built  in  1848,  at  a  cost  of  $347.83.  In  1876,  the  cemetery 
was  enlarged  by  the  purchase  of  five  acres  of  adjoining  ground, 
for  $2,000.00. 

From  the  beginning  to  the  present,  the  Lutheran  pastors  have 
been  the  following:  Rev.  John  C.  Baker,  1818  to  1828;  Rev. 
Benjamin  Keller,  1829  to  1835;  Rev.  C.  W.  Schaeffer,  1835  to 
1 84 1  ;  Rev.  Frederick  R.  Anspach,  1841  to  1850;  Rev.  William 
H.  Smith,  1850  to  1852  ;  Rev.  Prof.  Henry  Haverstick  and  Rev. 
Luther  E.  Albert,  supplied  about  three  months  in  1852  ;  Rev. 
William  M.  Baum,  1852  to  1854;  Rev.  David  Swope,  1855  to 
1856.  The  last  named  was  the  first  pastor  settled  in  the  place  ; 
the  church  having  previously  been  served,  successively,  by  pas- 
tors of  St.  Michael's  of  Germantown,  and  St.  Peter's  of  Barren 
Hill.  This  was  also  the  beginning  of  the  pastoral  charge  as  now 
constituted,  i.  <?.,  the  Whitemarsh  and  Upper  Dublin  congrega- 
tions. Then  followed  Rev.  Benjamin  C.  Suesserott,  1856  to  1857  ; 
Rev.  Lewis  Hippee,  1857  to  1859;  Rev.  Edward  J.  Koons,  i860 
to  1862;  Rev.  George  Sill,  1863  to  1869;  and  Rev.  Matthias 
Sheeleigh,  D.  D.,  April  27th,  1869,  to  the  present. 

There  now  remain  two  hundred  and  twenty  names  of  living 
members  in  the  Lutheran  church-book.  This  congregation  has 
never  owned  the  needful  convenience  of  a  parsonage.  The 
present  pastor  and  family  now  live  in  their  own  house  in  the  vil- 
lage of  Fort  Washington,  being  about  half  way  between  the 
churches,  which  are  four  miles  apart.  Within  the  last  ten  years 
this  congregation  has  realized  at  least  five  bequests  of  several 
hundred  dollars  each.  The  ladies  have  for  years  been  active  in  a 
local  Home  Missionary  Society,  in  which  both  money  and  labor 
have  been  cheerfully  given  to  needy  churches,  missionaries  and 
orphans. 

Three  ministers  have  gone  out  from  the  membership  of  the 
Union  church  :  two  Lutherans — Rev.  William  W.  Bowers  and 
Rev.  William  Tryday ;  and  one  Reformed — Rev.  William  Sorber. 
These  brethren  have  all  been  called  hence,  after  doing  good  ser- 
vice for  the   Master.     They  died  respectively  in  1873,  :^76  and 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  69 

1878,  at  the  early  ages  of  48,  55  and  53  years.  The  body  of  the 
first  named  is  buried  here. 

About  sixty  years  ago  the  Sunday-school  was  begun.  Among 
its  earlier  superintendents  were  William  Tryday  and  William  W. 
Bowers,  named  as  having  become  ministers.  The  school  has 
generally  been  well  attended.  More  good  might,  however,  be 
hoped  for  if  a  special  room  for  the  school  were  provided,  separate 
from  the  audience  chamber.  There  are  now  reported  as  being 
in  the  school  13  teachers  and  130  scholars  enrolled. 

So  far  as  the  writer  can  learn,  Lord's  Day  evening  services  were 
never  regularly  held  before  his  own  pastorship.  The  call,  in  an- 
swer to  which  he  came  to  the  pulpit,  specifies  only  one  service  in 
two  weeks  for  this  congregation.  Of  his  own  free  will  he  chose 
to  afford  evening  preaching ;  and  now,  after  nearly  a  quarter  of  a 
century,  it  would  not  be  willingly  dispensed  with  in  either  of  the 
"Union"  congregations. 

In  early  years  some  of  the  church  services  were  conducted  in 
the  German  language  ;  but  probably  no  regular  German  service 
has  been  thought  necessary  during  the  last  45  or  50  years,  inas- 
much as  the  German  is  now  scarcely  known  as  a  living  tongue 
within  ten  or  twelve  miles,  looking  northward. 

We  trust  that  spirituality  is  growing  in  the  congregations  of  this 
charge.  Within  the  last  twenty  years  the  grace  of  giving  has  also 
much  increased.  To  the  general  call,  beyond  the  local  or  home 
work,  the  response  is  returned  with  a  noticeable  readiness. 

2.  Upper  Dublin. 

This  church  is  about  four  miles  north  from  that  of  Whitemarsh. 
It  also  bears  the  name  of  a  township.  The  neighborhood  desig- 
nation, not  yet  extinct,  is  "Puff's  Church,"  after  Valentine  Puff, 
who  was  an  adjoining  land-holder,  and  a  member  of  the  original 
congregation.  •  Unlike  the  other  church,  this  is  wholly  Lutheran. 
Good  roads,  some  of  which  are  turnpikes,  connect  the  two  places 
and  cross  the  parochial  field  in  different  directions. 

The  present  congregation  is  of  comparatively  recent  origin, 
although  the  inheritor  of  its  site  from  a  much  earlier  organization. 
That  was  purchased  in  the  year  1753  by  several  Lutherans  for  a 
church,  school-house  and  burial-ground.     It  lies  a  mile  east  of  the 


70  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

new  borough  of  Ambler,  at  the  junction  of  the  Kutler  turnpike 
and  Susquehanna  street.  The  latter  highway  runs  southeast 
towards  a  point  on  the  Delaware  river  above  Philadelphia,  pro- 
jected in  colonial  times,  with  a  view  of  making  direct  communi- 
cation with  the  Susquehanna  river,  a  hundred  miles  distant.  But 
the  road  comes  suddenly  to  an  end  a  half  mile  north-west  of  the 
church. 

Numerous  Germans  having  early  settled  in  the  vicinity,  Rev. 
John  Frederick  Handschuh,  then  pastor  at  Germantown,  ten 
miles  southward,  organized  a  congregation  in  1753  or  1754,  and 
continued  services  there  until  1757.  It  is  possible  that  he 
preached  at  this  point  a  year  or  two  previous.  A  church  and 
school-house  were  erected.  The  church  was  a  log  structure,  and 
the  school-house  was  referred  to  as  being  "roomy." 

Dr.  Henry  M.  Muhlenberg,  then  in  Philadelphia,  preached 
there  several  times,  and  in  the  Halle  Reports  refers  to  the  con- 
gregation, under  date  of  June  18,  1754.  Dr.  Muhlenberg,  who 
had  the  general  oversight  for  several  years,  sent  his  student,  Wil- 
liam Kurtz,  to  serve  this  people  for  about  a  year,  from  1757  to 
1758.  Rev.  John  Helfrich  Schaum  then  supplied  the  place  from 
New  Hanover,  1758  to  1762;  Rev.  Henry  M.  Muhlenberg, 
then  served  as  pastor,  1762  to  June,  1763  ;  Rev.  Nicholas  Kurtz, 
of  Germantown,  1763  to  1764  ;  Rev.  John  Ludwig  Voigt,  of  Ger- 
mantown, 1764  to  1765;  Rev.  Jacob  Van  Buskerk,  of  North 
Wales,  1765  to  1769;  Rev.  John  Frederick  Schmidt,  1769  to 
1785  ;  Rev.  Anthony  Hecht,  of  Tohickon  and  North  Wales,  1785  ; 
Rev.  Jacob  Van  Buskerk  again,  1785  to  1795;  Rev.  Henry  A. 
Geissenhainer,  1797  to  1801  ;  Rev.  Frederick  D.  Schaeffer,  of 
Germantown,  1801  to  18 10.  About  18 10,  or  soon  after,  the 
gospel  ministrations  ceased,  the  people  having  become  scattered 
to  other  points,  and  few  being  left  who  appreciated  the  German 
language.  In  process  of  time,  the  church  edifice"  decayed  and 
disappeared. 

A  generation  later,  steps  were  taken  which  resulted  in  the 
restoration  of  divine  service  and  the  organization  of  the  present 
congregation.  Chiefly  through  the  efforts  of  the  Hon.  John  B. 
Sterigere — then  a  prominent  attorney  at  Norristown,  and  formerly 
a  Congressman  and  a  State  Senator,  whose  kindred  repose  here — 


SKETCHES   OF   CONGREGATIONS.  7  I 

a  charter  was  procured  from  the  Legislature  in  1852,  making  con- 
ditional provision  for  a  Lutheran  congregation  at  the  old  burial- 
ground,  where  his  body  also  now  rests.  Previous  to  this,  in  1835, 
a  resident,  Conrad  Emig,  had  left  by  will  six  hundred  and  sixty- 
four  dollars  to  secure  protection  to  this  cemetery. 

Religious  services  were  resumed  in  1852,  in  the  public  school- 
house  opposite,  and  conducted  with  some  degree  of  regularity 
until  a  church  was  built.  In  this  work  of  initiating  service,  Rev. 
Wm.  M.  Baum,  of  Barren  Hill,  took  part.  In  1855,  when 
Rev.  David  Swope  came  to  Whitemarsh,  the  pastoral  duties  de- 
volved on  him,  as  the  congregations  were  now  united  as  one 
pastorate,  a  relation  still  existing. 

The  present  comfortable  house  of  worship,  built  of  stone,  with 
basement  for  Sunday-school,  was  begun  in  1857.  The  corner- 
stone was  laid  October  15  of  that  year,  and  the  dedicatory 
services  were  held  July  18,  1858.  The  pastors,  since  the  re- 
tirement of  Rev.  Mr.  Swope  in  1856,  have  been  the  same  as  at 
Whitemarsh. 

Commodious  shedding.  200  feet  in  length,  was  built  in  1867. 
In  1885,  a  small  farm  of  16  acres,  immediately  adjoining  the 
early  church  property,  was  purchased.  Five  acres  have  been 
converted  into  a  cemetery,  known  as  Rose  Hill  Cemetery,  making 
one  of  the  most  beautiful  burial  places.  Many  are  now  procur- 
ing lots.  Our  people  in  the  city  find  this  a  very  desirable  and 
accessible  place  for  the  laying  of  their  departed  to  rest. 

Later,  the  church  edifice  was  neatly  painted  and  otherwise 
renovated.  At  the  same  time,  changes  were  made  for  removing 
the  choir  from  the  gallery  to  an  angle  near  the  pulpit,  on  the 
floor  of  the  main  audience  room. 

At  this  date  of  writing,  ninety-six  persons  are  counted  on  the 
church-book  as  members  entitled  to  communion. 

The  church  council  is  at  present  as  follows  : 

Trustees — Charles  Houpt,  Edwin  H.  Faust,  Theodore  Fleck; 
Elders — John  M.  Rex,  Frederick  Pfitzenmeyer,  Peter  Weaver; 
Deacons — Alvin  B.  Faust,  Rudolph  Dilthey,  Thomas  S.  Gillin. 

Among  former  members  and  officers  may  be  named  John  B. 
Rittenhouse,  Daniel  Rynear,  William  Webster,  Daniel  Gilbert, 
Henry  Houpt,  Adam  W.  Fleck,  John  Kuhler,  Jacob  Smith,  Alvin 


72  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

D.  Faust,  Jacob  W.  Lenhart,  William  Beck,  Charles  Dilthey, 
James  Doran,  and  others. 

The  Sunday-school  was  organized  September  30,  1858.  It  has 
generally  been  zealously  conducted,  and  has  produced  effective 
results.  In  1883,  its  25th  anniversary  was  celebrated  with  great 
interest,  when  a  history  of  the  school  was  written  by  Mrs.  Dr. 
Hannah  E.  Wilson.  The  following  have  been  superintendents  : 
William  Webster,  Alvin  D.  Faust,  Jacob  W.  Lenhart,  Thomas  S. 
Gillin,  James  Doran,  and  Samuel  A.  Faust. 

A  helpful  Ladies'  Aid  Society  has  been  maintained  in  the 
church  for  several  years  past.  On  the  decease  of  a  late  member 
of  the  congregation,  the  example  of  a  handsome  bequest  to  her 
church  came  to  light. 

In  both  congregations,  catechisation  has  been  steadily  main- 
tained as  a  preparation  for  full  membership. 

Within  these  congregations,  there  are  taken  thirty  copies  of  the 
Lutheran  Observer,  two  hundred  copies  of  the  Lutheran  Sunday- 
School  Herald,  twenty-five  copies  of  the  Augsburg  Teacher,  etc. 

At  the  pleasant  village  of  Fort  Washington,  half-way  between 
the  two  churches  of  this  charge,  a  very  promising  Sunday-School 
was  commenced  in  a  Hall,  December  21,  1890.  It  bears  the 
designation  Lutheran,  and  is  under  the  superintendency  of  Mr. 
Howard  S.  Jones,  formerly  of  Philadelphia.  The  school  is  not 
organically  connected  with  the  parish,  but  it  is  expected  to  se- 
cure, at  an  early  day,  the  consent  of  the  two  congregations  to  the 
organizing  of  a  church. 


VII.  ZION'S  CHURCH,  HUMMELSTOWN,  DAUPHIN  CO. 

BY  REV.  H.  G.  SNYDER. 

There  is  no  account,  in  the  existing  records  of  the  church,  of 
the  organization  of  this  congregation,  but  fortunately  we  can  fix 
the  date  very  closely  from  an  old  deed,  bearing  date  June  24, 
1756.  On  that  day  Frederick  and  Rosina  Hummel  granted  two 
lots  of  ground  to  the  congregation.  That  it  was  regularly  organ- 
ized prior  to  that  date,  is  evident  from  the  fact  that  the  deed 
mentions  a  "church  erected  on  a  part  of  said  lots"  and  the  con- 


SKETCHES    OF    CONOR EGATIONS.  73 

veyance  is  made  to  "  Theophilus  England,  then  pastor,"  and  the 
"  representatives  "  of  the  congregation,  Andrew  Schrotle,  Fred- 
erick Forster,  Leonard  Witmeyer,  and  Daniel  Wunderlich.  The 
centennial  "  History  of  Dauphin  County,"  claimed  to  be  "a  safe 
reference,"  is  perhaps  correct  in  the  statement  that  the  Lutheran 
church  had  "  begun  an  enterprise  in  Hummelstown  as  early  as 

I753-" 

PASTORS. 

Theophilus  Engelland  was  pastor  in  1756.  The  next  name  that 
appears  (only  in  the  auditing  of  accounts)  is  that  of  Michael 
Enderlein,  first  mentioned  in  1771,  and  running  until  1778. 
William  Kurtz  was  pastor  from  1 781-1795.  Then  occurs  an  in- 
terval when  the  congregation  "  was  without  divine  service  and 
religious  instruction  "  ;  and  there  was  great  rejoicing  and  pros- 
perity, when,  in  1804,  John  Frederick  Ernst  came  among  them. 
He  was  succeeded  in  1807  by  John  Paul  Ferdinand  Kramer. 
John  Henry  Vanhoff  followed  on  June  23,  181 1.  Here  the 
congregation  was  probably  without  a  pastor  again  for  several 
years,  or  supplied  from  some  other  place.  C.  R.  Demme  took 
charge  in  June,  181 9.  On  October  6,  1822,  he  was  succeeded 
by  Peter  Scheurer.  Henry  G.  Stecher  became  pastor  December 
5,  1830,  and  continued  for  24  years,  when  he  was  compelled  to 
resign  on  account  of  the  infirmities  of  age.  George  Haines  was 
his  successor,  October  27,  1854.  J.  F.  Probst  followed  Novem- 
ber 1,  1856.  A.  S.  Link  wis  elected  to  succeed  him  on  Decem- 
ber l,  1858,  and  remained  until  April  27,  1861.  The  next  pastor 
was  E.  Huber,  June  15,  1861.  Peter  Rizer  was  elected  to  fill 
the  vacancy  caused  by  Rev.  Huber's  resignation,  October  27, 
1866,  and  seived  until  January  1,  1873.  P.  S.  Mack  succeeded 
him  on  June  2,  1873.  Then  followed  in  order,  J.  H.  Leeser, 
July  1,  1877,  to  April  1,  1885  ;  I.  B.  Crist,  June  1,  1885,  to  Janu- 
ary 1,  1890  ;  H.  G.  Snyder,  June  1,  1890,  to  the  present  time. 

CONNECTION    WITH    OTHER    CHURCHES. 

There  is  no  mention  of  any  connection  with  other  churches 
until  the  pastorate  of  Henry  G.  Stecher  at  Hummelstown,  Shoop's, 
Sand  Hill  and  Union  Deposit.      Shoop's  church  separated  from 


74  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

the  charge  about  1850,  the  other  three  remaining  longer.     Since 
1873  Hummelstown  has  supported  its  own  pastor. 

CHURCH    PROPERTY. 

The  first  church  was  a  log  structure,  said  to  have  been  com- 
pleted May  16,  1766.  Having  become  too  small,  it  was  replaced, 
in  1 8 15,  by  a  beautiful  blue  limestone  building.  After  the  new 
church  was  built,  the  old  one  was  used  as  a  school-house,  but, 
owing  to  the  carelessness  of  the  teacher,  it  was  destroyed  by  fire 
in  December,  181 7.  This  second  building  was  enlarged  and  re- 
modeled in  1S55,  at  a  cost  °f  over  $4,000,  the  church  being  con- 
verted into  an  audience  room  above  and  a  Sunday-school  room 
below.  Drs.  Krotel  and  Hay  preached  the  dedication  sermons. 
The  Sunday-school  rooms  were  again  remodeled  and  the  church 
renovated  at  a  cost  of  $306.35,  and  re-opened  for  divine  service 
May  25. 

On  June  18,  1891,  the  congregation  decided  to  erect  a  new 
church.  Plans  and  specifications  were  secured  from  J.  A.  Demp- 
wolf,  architect,  York,  Pa.,  and  the  work  was  begun  in  October. 
The  corner-stone  was  laid  November  29,  Dr.  McKnight  preach- 
ing the  sermon.  The  entire  building  is  of  Hummelstown  brown- 
stone,  contains  main  auditorium,  Sunday-school,  infant  class, 
Bible  class  and  library  rooms  all  on  one  floor,  main  auditorium 
carpeted  throughout,  cathedral  glass  windows,  heated  with  steam 
and  lighted  by  electricity.     It  will  be  dedicated  January  22,  1893. 

Prior  to  1857,  the  pastors  lived  either  in  their  own  or  in  rented 
homes,  but  in  this  year  a  handsome,  commodious  brick  parsonage 
was  erected  on  the  lot  of  ground  owned  by  the  congregation,  on 
Main  street.  This  was  removed  in  October,  1891,  to  the  rear  of 
the  same  lot,  fronting  on  Rosina  street,  in  order  to  make  room 
for  the  new  church  building,  which  now  occupies  one  of  the  most 
eligible  sites  in  the  town. 

ORGANIZATIONS    AND   BRANCHES    OF    CHURCH    WORK. 

The  church  council  consists  of  the  pastor,  who  is  ex  officio 
chairman,  three  trustees,  four  elders  and  four  deacons.  The 
congregation  is  divided  into  three  <dstricts,  with  representation  in 
the  council  in  proportion  to  size.  Council  meets  quarterly  in 
regular  session,  but  very  frequently  for  special  work. 


SKETCHES   OF   CONGREGATIONS.  75 

The  Sunday-school  existed  as  far  back  as  1830,  but  it  was  a 
union  school,  conducted  in  the  German  language,  on  the  order  of 
the  week-day  school.  It  met  with  violent  opposition,  the  country 
members  strongly  objecting  to  its  being  held  in  the  church,  on 
which  account  it  was  disbanded  after  a  few  years.  It  was  re- 
organized in  a  school-house  in  1837.  In  1842  it  was  again  taken 
into  the  church  and  conducted  in  a  more  modern  way. 

The  remodeling  of  the  church  in  1855  created  the  desire  and 
furnished  the  opportunity  for  a  distinctively  Lutheran  school, 
which  was  accordingly  organized.  Henry  L.  Hummel  was  its 
first  superintendent,  and  continued  in  office  until  1872.  His  suc- 
cessors and  their  terms  were  as  follows  :  Frank  C.  Earnest,  from 
1872-1874  ;  Geo.  I.  Hummel,  1874-1875  ;  Dr.  Jacob  Shope,  1875— 
1880;  H.  J.  Hummel,  1880-T882  ;  Dr.  Charles  H.  Clark,  1882- 
1888;  C.  P.  Haehnlen,  1888-1892;  and  L.  W.  Ebersole,  the 
present  incumbent.  It  has  an  Officers'  and  Teachers'  Associ- 
ation, which  holds  monthly  meetings  for  business  and  discussion 
of  Sunday-school  work,  and  a  weekly  teachers'  Bible  class,  con- 
ducted by  the  pastor. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  was  organized  in  1875,  and  pledged 
to  work  "for  the  good  of  the  church  at  home  and  abroad."  In 
January,  1881,  the  "Woman's  Home  and  Foreign  Missionary 
Society "  was  organized.  In  1882  it  reported  45  active  and  5 
honorary  members,  and  contributed  $25.  In  the  course  of  time 
the  society  was  disbanded,  but  on  September  18,  1889,  it  was  re- 
organized with  its  original  title  and  object. 

On  September  5,  1890,  a  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor  was 
organized,  and  now  numbers  40  active  and  22  associate  members. 
The  society  contributes  $25  annually  to  Foreign  Missions,  raised 
by  the  "  two  cents  a  week  "  plan. 

So  far  as  the  writer  has  been  able  to  learn,  but  one  minister 
has  gone  out  from  this  congregation,  the  Rev.  John  A.  Earnest, 
D.  D. 

The  congregation  now  numbers  about  200  communicant  mem- 
bers, and  is  well  organized  and  equipped  for  efficient  service. 


J 6  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

VIII.     UNION  DEPOSIT  CHARGE,  DAUPHIN  CO.— SAND 

HILL,  SANDY  HOLLOW,  UNION  DEPOSIT, 

HOERNERSTOWN. 

BY  REV.  J.  M.  DEITZLER,  ASSISTED  BY  REV.  \V.  H.  LEWARS  AND 
REV.  A.  WIETING. 

i .  Sand  Hill  Church. 

As  early  as  1756,  this  congregation  possessed  a  house  of  wor- 
ship, known  as  the  "  Berg  Kirche,"  in  Derry  township.  It  stood 
upon  the  Sand  Hills,  two  miles  southeast  of  Hummelstown,  near 
the  present  location  of  the  brownstone  quarries.  It  was  sur- 
rounded by  a  fine  grove  of  chestnut  and  oak  trees,  on  an  un- 
frequented public  road,  and  stood  until  1875,  a  period  of  one 
hundred  and  nineteen  years.  The  present  building  is  of  red 
sandstone,  with  a  small  belfry.  The  old  communion-set,  pre- 
sented by  Ulrich  Hubscher  and  Wendel  Poh,  has  been  in  use  for 
one  hundred  and  seventeen  years.  Articles  of  incorporation 
were  drawn  in  1891,  the  following  being  trustees  at  that  time: 
Jacob  Books,  Michael  Hall,  John  Bender,  John  Walty,  John 
Fuhrman,  Anthony  Beersley,  Philip  Beersley,  Henry  States, 
Thomas  Smith. 

Eleven  persons  communed  at  Easter  in  181 2.  There  are  now 
thirty-five  communicant  members.  The  congregation  owns  some 
fifteen  acres  of  land  adjoining  the  church,  and  a  good  sexton's 
house. 

The  church  was  generally  served  by  the  pastors  who  ministered 
at  Hummelstown,  until  the  formation,  in  1873,  of  the  Union  De- 
posit charge,  with  which  it  has  since  been  connected. 

2.  Sandy  Hollow  Church. 

In  the  year  1844,  Mr.  John  Diller,  a  tanner,  residing  at  Sandy 
Hollow,  extended  an  invitation  to  Rev.  A.  Wieting,  of  Middle- 
town,  to  preach  in  the  school-house  at  the  former  place.  The 
invitation  was  accepted,  and  services  conducted  every  two  weeks 
for  two  years,  beginning  with  August,  1844.  In  1846  a  neat  little 
church,  35x50  feet,  was  erected,  the  location  being  on  the  Jones- 
town road,  nine  miles  east  of  Harrisburg,  in  West  Hanover  town- 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  77 

ship.  After  holding  a  protracted  meeting  in  the  new  building, 
the  pastor  organized  a  congregation  with  33  members.  After 
preaching  for  about  eight  years  longer,  Rev.  Wieting  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  Wm.  G.  Laitzle,  who  served  as  supply  from  1852- 
1854.  The  succeeding  pastors  have  been  :  G.  J.  Martz,  1855— 
1868;  H.  D.  Kutz,  1869-1871;  E.  Daron,  1872-1875  ;  E.  S. 
Brownmiller,  1875-1881  ;  G.  J.  Martz,  1882-1883  ;  A.K.Zim- 
merman, 1885-1887  ;  J.  A.  Danner,  1887  ;  J.  M.  Deitzler,  1890 
to  the  present  time. 

A  new  tin  roof  was  put  upon  the  building  last  year,  and  the  in- 
terior neatly  papered  and  carpeted.  The  congregation  now 
numbers  about  forty  members. 

3.  St.  John's  Church,  Union  Deposit. 

This  is  a  union  church.  Its  constitution  was  adopted  Novem- 
ber 29,  1847,  and  is  signed  by  the  following  persons  representing 
the  Lutheran  congregation :  Geo.  Keplinger,  David  Ramler, 
Conrad  Wagner,  Jacob  Hocker,  David  Berst.  The  corner-stone 
was  laid  in  the  same  year.  The  congregation  has  been  served 
by  the  following  pastors  :  Lewis  G.  Eggers,  1847-185 2  ;  Wm.  G. 
Laitzle,  1852-1854 ;  George  Haines,  1854-1856;  A.  S.  Link, 
1858-1861;  Eli  Huber,  1861-1866;  Peter  Rizer,  1866-1873. 
Up  to  this  time  the  congregation  was  a  part  of  the  Hummelstown 
pastorate.  Since  then,  the  following  pastors  have  served  :  E.  S. 
Brownmiller,  1874-1881  ;  Geo.  J.  Martz,  (supply)  1882-1883; 
A.  K.  Zimmerman,  1885-1887.  After  the  resignation  of  the  last- 
named  pastor,  the  charge  was  served  for  a  brief  period  by  Rev. 
John  A.  Danner,  who  was  conditionally  received  into  the  East 
Pennsylvania  Synod  from  the  Reformed  Church,  but  has  since 
gone  back  to  his  first  love.  Rev.  J.  M.  Deitzler  became  pastor 
in  June,  1890.  The  congregation  is  now,  after  a  long  period  of 
discouragement,  in  a  hopeful  condition,  numbering  63  communi- 
cant members. 

4.  St.  John's  Church,  Hoernerstown. 

This  congregation,  organized  in  August,  1891,  was  admitted  to 
Synod  at  its  session  in  September  of  the  same  year,  and  added  to 


78  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

the  Union  Deposit  Charge.  It  has  a  substantial  and  energetic 
membership,  forty  in  number,  a  fine  new  church,  and  a  growing 
Sunday-school. 


IX.  ST.  PAUL'S  CHURCH,  ALLENTOWN. 

BY    REV.  J.  A.  SINGMASTER. 

The  oldest  Lutheran  congregation  in  the  vicinity  of  Allentown, 
and  probably  in  Lehigh  county,  is  known  as  the  Salzburg  (Salis- 
bury) church.  Its  first  edifice,  presumably  of  logs,  was  built  as 
early  as  1741. 

In  1762  Allentown,  then  called  Northampton,  is  said  to  have 
been  laid  out  by  James  Allen.  In  the  same  year  the  Lutherans 
and  Reformed  erected  a  building  of  1  gs  to  serve  as  a  church  and 
probably  also  as  a  school-house.  This  building  stood  in  the  rear 
of  the  lot  where  Zion's  Reformed  church  now  stands. 

The  first  Lutheran  pastor  was  John  Joseph  Roth,  who  had  been 
a  Roman  Catholic  Studiosus  and  was  from  Siegen  in  Germany. 
In  December,  1761,  pastor  Roth  was  in  charge  of  the  Indian  field 
and  Old  Goschenhoppen  congregation.  December  8th  he  visited 
Muhlenberg  and  stated  that  he  had  tendered  his  resignation  at 
Indianfield  and  accepted  charge  of  Upper  Milford,  and  desired 
to  be  received  into  the  Ministerium.  At  the  meeting  of  the  Min- 
isterium  June  28,  1762,  at  Philadelphia,  delegates  from  Indian- 
field  appeared,  bringing  with  them  their  pastor  Roth,  and  applied 
for  his  examination  in  order  to  his  being  received  into  the  Min- 
isterium. He  was  examined  as  to  doctrine,  earnestly  admon- 
ished, and  asked  to  await  a  future  decision  as  to  his  admission 
into  the  Ministerium  after  a  fuller  acquaintance.  The  decision 
was  received  by  him  with  tears  and  deep  emotion.  December 
15,  1762,  Upper  Milford  wrote  to  Muhlenberg  that  they  desired 
to  have  Mr.  Roth  as  their  pastor ;  that  he  now  for  some  time  had 
preached  to  them,  that  they  had  knowledge  of  his  doctrine  and 
life,  and  that  they  desired  him  to  unite  with  the  Ministerium.  In 
his  answer  dated  January  3,  1763,  Muhlenberg  urges  them  to 
unite  with  the  little  congregation  at  the  School-house,  and  as 
Upper  Saucon  had  become  vacant  by  the  removal  of  Friederici 


ST.  PAUL'S    EVANGELICAL    LUTHERAN    CHURCH,  ALLENTOWN,  PA. 

(79) 


80  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

beyond  the  Blue  Mountains,  they  should  unite  and  make  provi- 
sion for  the  support  of  a  pastor,  who  should  reside  among  them. 

So  John  Joseph  Roth  became  pastor  of  the  Upper  Milford, 
Saucon  and  Allentown  Congregations,  retaining  also  Indianfield. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Ministerium  in  Philadelphia,  October  16, 
i  763,  delegates  were  present  from  Saucon  and  Indianfield.  It  is 
said  that  none  came  from  Allentown  and  Upper  Milford  through 
fear  of  attacks  by  the  Indians.  A  letter  was  read  from  Upper 
Milford,  commending  Mr.  Roth  for  his  purity  of  life  and  his  zeal 
in  official  duty,  and  one  from  the  inhabitants  of  Allenstown  in 
Hamton  county,  who  desire  that  Mr.  Roth  may  be  recognized 
and  approved  as  their  pastor.  The  question  of  receiving  Dia- 
conus  Roth  into  full  membership  with  the  Ministerium  was  care- 
fully considered,  Monday,  October  17,  1763  ;  the  delegates  were 
examined  as  to  the  desire  of  the  congregations,  to  which  they 
testified.  He  was  then  received,  after  needful  admonition,  into 
full  membership,  each  minister  giving  him  his  hand  and  hearty 
wish  for  God's  blessings  upon  him.  This  is  the  first  mention  of 
Allentown  and  its  Lutheran  congregration  by  name  in  the  Hal- 
lesche  Nachrichten,  in  October,  1763. 

Unfortunately,  the  services  of  Roth  as  pastor  did  not  continue 
long,  as  he  died,  and  was  buried  May  13,  1  764,  at  Upper  Saucon 
church. 

From  1764,  after  the  death  of  pastor  Roth,  until  the  close  of 
1 769,  the  four  congregations  of  the  charge  to  which  Allentown  be- 
longed were  vacant  and  dependent  on  occasional  visits  from 
neighboring  clergymen. 

In  1769,  towards  the  close  of  the  year,  these  congregations,  with 
the  addition  of  Macungie,  obtained  the  services  of  Rev.  Jacob  Van 
Buskerk,  the  great-grandfather  of  the  present  pastor.  Dr.  Van 
Buskerk  was  born  at  Hackensack,  N.  J.,  in  1739.  At  the  age  of 
twenty  he  became  a  member  of  Muhlenberg's  family  in  order  to  be 
prepared  for  the  ministry.  He  became  Miihlenberg's  assistant,  was 
ordained  in  1 763,  and  became  pastor  of  the  above-named 
churches  in  1769.  He  remained  pastor  until  1778.  He  served 
the  Macungie  church,  with  a  short  intermission,  until  near  his  de- 
cease, which  occurred  in  1801  at  Upper  Dublin,  where  his  re- 
mains lie  buried. 


SKETCHES   OF   CONGREGATIONS.  8 1 

In  1773  the  Reformed  withdrew  from  the  union  church,  having 
built  a  church  of  their  own.  The  Lutherans  occupied  the  log 
church  until  1794. 

After  the  resignation  of  Rev.  Van  Buskerk,  the  congregation  was 
apparently  without  a  pastor  for  several  years. 

In  the  Protocol  of  the  Ministerium  for  1781,  Allentown  has 
become  connected  with  Dry  Lands,  Irish  Settlement  and  Indian- 
land.  These  congregations  then  applied  to  the  Synod  for  a  pas- 
tor. The  answer  was  that  the  Ministerium  regrets  the  want  of 
pastors  and  requests  neighboring  pastors  to  visit  them  as  often  as 
possible,  preaching  and  administering  the  sacraments,  and  ad- 
vises the  congregations  to  select  lay- readers  capable  of  conduct- 
ing the  kinderjehre  and  leading  the  singing. 

In  1783  John  Christian  Leps  attended  the  meeting  of  the  Min- 
isterium as  pastor  at  Allentown,  and  the  place  is  mentioned  as 
giving  name  to  a  pastorate.  It  is  probable  therefore  that  he  re- 
sided here.  Mr.  Leps  was  a  native  of  Denmark,  and  had  resided 
in  the  Danish  West  India  islands.     He  arrived  in  Philadelphia  in 

1773.  He  was  a  man  of  scholarly  attainments,  and  was  engaged 
by  Dr.  Kunze  as  teacher  of  a  Seminary  which  he  endeavored  to 
establish.  The  Seminary  failed,  and  Mr.  Leps  was  ordained  upon 
a  call  from  Loonenburg,  now  Athens,  New  York,  and  in  July, 

1774,  he  removed  thither.  In  1778  he  was  still  in  New  York,  but 
longed  to  return  to  Pennsylvania.  It  is  not  known  how  long  he 
remained  at  Allentown — not  over  seven  years  at  most. 

In  one  of  the  venerable  church  records  occurs  the  name  of  Rev. 
Carl  Christoph  Goetz,  "a  native  of  Worms."  His  first  entry  bears 
the  date  of  November,  1785  ;  the  last  June  8,  1788.  This  is  all 
that  is  known  of  him. 

In  the  list  of  ministers  present  at  the  Synod  in  1 793  is  the  name 
of  Joseph  Wichterman,  among  the  licensed  candidates  ;  his  resi- 
dence is  given  as  Allen  township.  The  congregations  of  each 
charge  are  given,  and  he  has  charge  of  Allentown  and  the  church 
in  Hanover  township,  with  123  communicants.  He  was  received 
into  the  Ministerium  in  1791,  upon  an  application  from  Bedmin- 
ster,  New  Jersey.  He  left  Allentown  at  the  time  of  the  meeting 
of  the  Synod. 

In  1 793  George  Frederick  Ellisen,  a  candidate  from  Germany, 


82  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

was  examined  and  licensed  as  a  candidate  to  have  charge  of 
Upper  Milford,  Upper  Saucon,  Salisbury  and  Allentown.  In 
1795  Steiner's  church  is  added  to  this  charge.  In  1796  his  name 
was  on  the  roll  but  he  was  not  at  Synod;  in  1797  it  disappears 
from  the  roll,  and  his  license,  not  having  been  renewed,  expired. 

In  1794,  during  the  pastorate  of  Licentiate  Ellisen,  the  old 
log  church  was  abandoned  and  the  erection  of  a  larger  stone 
structure  begun  on  the  site  of  the  present  St.  Paul's.  From  the 
accounts  kept  by  the  treasurer,  Leonard  Nagle,  we  glean  the  fol- 
lowing interesting  particulars.  For  the  first  time  the  record  is 
made  in  English  and  that  quite  readable.  The  trustees  were 
John  Horn,  John  Roth,  Peter  Hartz  and  Henry  Shantz.  The 
corner-stone  was  laid  June  24,  1794.  The  consecration  took 
place  September  4,  1795.  The  cost  was  nearly  1300  pounds 
sterling.  Building  was  expensive  at  that  time.  Day  laborers  re- 
ceived from  five  to  six  shillings  a  day.  Pine  boards  were  $22  per 
thousand  feet.  Nails  cost  n  pence  (22  cents)  per  pound. 
About  $230  were  expended  for  this  item  alone.  "  The  old  church 
was  sold  to  Valentine  Fatzinger  at  vendue  for  17  pounds."  The 
treasurer  credits  himself  with  six  shillings  and  nine  pence  "for 
Rum  at  Raising"  !  !  ,£99  were  collected  toward  the  new  church 
by  Philip  Klotz  and  Andrew  Young,  at  Philadelphia.  The  indebt- 
edness in  March,  1797,  was  about  ^300. 

In  the  year  1800  Rev.  John  Conrad  Jaeger  became  pastor  of 
St.  Paul's.  His  charge  consisted  of  Christ  church,  Hanover, 
where  he  lived,  Dry  Lands,  Friedens  in  Saucon,  and  Allentown. 

In  each  of  his  four  churches  Mr.  Jaeger  preached  once  in  four 
weeks  on  Sunday  morning,  and  while  he  was  pastor  there  was 
never  any  service  at  night  in  Allentown.  The  salary  paid  Mr. 
Jaeger  by  the  Allentown  church  was  $100.  Mr.  Jaeger  retained 
charge  of  these  four  churches  until  1831,  but  his  son,  Joshua,  was 
licensed  to  preach  in  1827,  and  assisted  his  father  in  his  whole 
charge  until  1831,  when  the  father  resigned  charge  of  Allentown 
and  Friedens  church,  of  which  his  son  became  pastor. 

Allentown  in  1830  was  a  town  of  1500  inhabitants,  but  the 
opening  of  navigation  on  the  Lehigh  and  the  supply  of  water  to 
the  town  gave  a  fresh  impulse  to  its  growth,  and  it  was  felt  by 
pastors  and  congregation  that  there  must  be  a  resident  pastor  and 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  8$ 

more  frequent  services.  When,  therefore,  Rev.  Joshua  Jaeger 
was  elected  as  pastor,  he  settled  in  town,  and  soon  offered  to 
preach  every  other  Sunday  morning.  His  call  only  required  ser- 
vices once  in  four  weeks  and  offered  $100  as  salary.  His  proposal 
was  accepted  and  the  salary  increased  to  $150.  In  1832,  how- 
ever, the  father  died  and  the  son  was  elected  in  the  other  two 
churches  ;  he  could,  therefore,  no  longer  preach  oftener  than  once 
in  four  weeks  in  the  morning,  but  he  proposed  to  preach  on  two 
Sunday  evenings  in  each  four  weeks.  This  arrangement  was 
made  and  remained  unaltered  throughout  the  whole  time  of  his 
ministry,  and  the  salary,  $175,  also  remained  unaltered. 

In  1834  a  Sunday-school  was  established  by  members  of  the 
Lutheran  and  Reformed  congregations.  In  its  establishment  Mr. 
Jaeger  took  a  very  active  part,  going  around  from  house  to  house, 
and  urging  his  members  to  send  their  children.  The  school  met 
in  the  Lutheran  church  until  the  completion  of  the  Reformed 
church,  in  the  erection  of  which  a  room  was  provided  for  the 
school,  when,  in  1839,  the  school  was  removed  to  its  new  quarters. 
In  September,  1856,  the  school  separated,  each  organizing  anew 
in  their  respective  churches. 

The  rapid  growth  of  the  town  made  it  apparent  to  Mr.  Jaeger 
that  St.  Paul's  must  have  a  pastor  for  itself  and  one  who  could 
preach  in  English  as  well  as  in  German.  Therefore,  on  Easter, 
April  n,  1852,  at  the  close  of  the  morning  service,  he  presented 
his  resignation,  to  take  effect  immediately. 

Upon  the  resignation  of  Rev.  Jaeger,  the  congregation,  by  the 
advice  of  the  Synod,  called  two  pastors,  one  for  the  German  por- 
tion, the  other  for  the  English.  The  former  secured  the  services 
of  Rev.  Jacob  Vogelbach  ;  the  latter  those  of  Rev.  Beale  M. 
Schmucker.  They  both  came  in  October,  1852.  Rev.  Vogel- 
bach took  charge  also  of  the  congregations  which  nearly  a  cent- 
ury before  had  been  connected  with  Allentown.  Hence  he  could 
preach  only  every  other  Sunday  morning,  but  oftener  at  night,  at 
St.  Paul's.  The  English  pastor  thus  occupied  the  pulpit  at  about 
half  the  regular  services.  "  The  contrast  however  between  the 
audiences  was  very  great,"  says  Schmucker  in  an  "Historical 
Discourse  "  delivered  at  the  twenty-fifth  anniversary  of  St.  John's. 
"  The  earnestness  and  pulpit  power  of  Mr.  Vogelbach,  then  in 


84  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

the  vigor  of  his  best  days,  attracted  crowded  audiences.  The 
English  audiences  were  very  small."  But  the  work  grew,  so  that 
early  in  1854  measures  were  taken  for  the  erection  of  a  church, 
the  corner-stone  of  which  was  laid  June  25.  The  consecration  of 
the  new  St.  John's  English   Lutheran  church  took  place  May  6, 

While  St.  John's  was  in  process  of  erection,  plans  for  building 
a  new  St.  Paul's  were  maturing.  By  the  21st  of  May,  1854,  a 
committee  reported  that  $7100  had  been  subscribed.  The  final 
service  was  held  in  the  old  church  on  Easter,  1855.  The  name 
St.  Paul's  was  adopted  for  the  new  church  May  27,  1855,  the 
former  name  having  been  "the  German  Evangelical  Lutheran 
church."  The  cost  of  the  edifice  was  about  5 15, 000.  It  was 
consecrated  September  21,  1856,  Drs.  Mann  and  Hutter  of  Phila- 
delphia, the  Moravian  bishop  Wolle,  of  Bethlehem,  and  Rev. 
Dubs,  of  the  Reformed  Church,  assisting  the  pastor,  Rev.  Vogel- 
bach.  The  latter  terminated  a  popular  and  successful  pastorate 
in  February,  1857.     His  salary  had  been  $300  from  St.  Paul's. 

Immediately  after  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Vogelbach,  the  con- 
gregation determined  to  separate  from  the  country  churches  and, 
for  the  first  time  in  its  history,  support  a  pastor- alone.  Rev.  A. 
T.  Geissenhainer  became  pastor  at  a  salary  of  $800,  in  the  spring 
of  1857,  and  terminated  his  pastorate  in  August,  1858. 

Rev.  Wm.  G.  Mennig,  of  Pottsville,  was  elected  as  the  next 
pastor  in  January,  1859,  at  a  stipulated  salary  of  $600,  which,  how- 
ever, was  raised  after  some  years  to  $1000.  He  took  charge  in 
February.  His  preaching  produced  a  deep  spiritual  impression, 
resulting  in  a  genuine  revival  of  religion.  The  "  revival  meetings," 
however,  did  not  receive  the  endorsement  of  a  considerable 
number  of  the  members,  who  stigmatized  these  special  services  as 
"new  measures."  The  minority,  moreover,  secured  the  unwar- 
ranted interference  of  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania.  This  in 
due  time  induced  the  pastor  and  the  church  to  sever  their  connec- 
tion with  that  body,  and  to  unite  with  the  Synod  of  East  Penn- 
sylvania, the  latter  in  1872,  the  former  in  the  year  following. 

But  they  were  not  suffered  to  go  in  peace.  Their  opponents 
instituted  legal  proceedings  for  the  possession  of  the  property, 
chiefly  on  the  ground  that  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod  was  not 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  85 

truly  Lutheran.  In  a  bitter,  long,  expensive  and  now  classic 
trial,  St.  Paul's,  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod  and  the  General 
Synod  were  completely  vindicated  by  favorable  decisions  in  the 
local  and  in  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State.  The  losers  imme- 
diately (in  1875)  organized  St.  Michael's  church,  which  is  now 
large  and  prosperous. 

During  Mr.  Mennig's  pastorate  previous  to  1873,  the  congre- 
gation had  attained  a  membership  of  about  750.  He  reported 
400  when  he  united  with  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod.  Advanc- 
ing years  and  the  need  of  English  services  prompted  him  to  re- 
sign in  the  Spring  of  1877,  after  a  pastorate  of  eighteen  years. 
He  remained  a  member  of  St.  Paul's  until  his  decease,  frequently 
supplying  its  pulpit  and  that  of  other  churches.  He  died  July 
15,  1887. 

The  action  of  a  congregational  meeting  in  October,  1877,  au- 
thorizing the  use  of  English  in  the  Sunday  evening  service,  marks 
another  era  in  the  history  of  St.  Paul's.  The  use  of  German  at 
the  morning  and  English  at  the  evening  service  still  continues,  to 
the  satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  The  Sunday-school,  however, 
has  become  English,  excepting  a  large  German  Bible-class. 

Rev.  Charles  E.  Hay  began  a  successful  pastorate  on  Decem- 
ber 1,  1877.  The  membership  increased  from  400  to  608  ;  and 
the  Sunday-school  numbered  660  according  to  the  pastor's  last 
synodical  report,  in  1889.  Various  new  societies  were  estab- 
lished and  benevolence  stimulated.  A  debt  of  $4200  was  paid 
during  the  early  years.  In  1884  a  splendid  new  pipe  organ  was 
purchased  at  a  cost  of  $3000.  In  1889  a  commodious  parsonage 
was  erected,  costing,  together  with  the  lot,  about  $5000.  Nearly 
142,000  were  contributed  for  all  purposes  during  the  twelve  years 
of  his  pastorate.  On  February  10,  1890,  he  resigned,  and,  with 
the  cooperation  of  133  members  who  withdrew  from  St.  Paul's, 
founded  St.  Matthew's  Lutheran  church.  Quite  a  large  number 
of  scholars  from  the  Sunday-school  also  accompanied  them. 

The  present  pastor,  Rev.  J.  A.  Singmaster,  took  charge  May  > , 
1890.  St.  Paul's  again  manifested  its  recuperative  power  in  re- 
covering from  the  depletion  of  its  ranks.  Beginning  with  366 
members,  it  has  increased  to  over  450.  The  Sunday-school 
numbers  600.     In  less  than  three  years,  almost  Si 3,000  have  been 


86  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

raised  for  all  purposes.  The  principal  improvements  made  con- 
sist of  the  entire  remodeling  of  the  Sunday-school  rooms,  the 
introduction  of  steam  heating  into  the  church,  and  the  laying  of  a 
new  sidewalk ;  all  of  which  cost  nearly  $2,000.  The  parsonage 
debt  has  also  been  canceled.     The  outlook  is  promising. 

The  property  of  the  congregation  consists  of  St.  Paul's  church, 
an  imposing  two-story  brick  edifice  of  gothic  architecture.  It  is 
surmounted  by  a  steeple  190  feet  in  height,  containing  a  tower- 
clock  and  two  bells,  the  larger  of  which  is  noted  for  the  sweetness 
and  strength  of  its  tone.  The  auditorium  contains  galleries  on 
three  sides  and  seats  over  800  people.  The  lower  story  is  de- 
voted to  the  Sunday-school  and  is  divided  into  four  rooms,  sepa- 
rated by  sliding  partitions.  About  a  square  south  of  the  church, 
on  South  Eighth  street,  stands  the  parsonage,  a  fine  ten-room 
house  with  modern  conveniences. 

During  the  last  forty  years  four  new  congregations  have  gone 
forth  from  St.  Paul's.  Two  others  have  been  founded  in  the  city, 
making  seven  Lutheran  churches  in  Allentown.  Probably  a  third 
of  the  population  is  Lutheran.  Two  of  the  churches  use  the  Eng- 
lish language  exclusively  in  their  services ;  the  rest  both  English 
and  German. 

In  the  preparation  of  this  sketch  the  writer  has  availed  himself 
of  Dr.  Schmucker's  "  Historical  Discourse,"  which  traces  the  his- 
tory of  St.  Paul's  with  more  or  less  accuracy  as  far  as  1855. 


X.     HAMILTON   CHARGE,   MONROE   CO.— HAMILTON, 

ST.  MARK'S,  TANNERSVILLE,  ST.  JOHN'S,  BROD- 

HEADSVILLE,  MT.  ETON. 

BY    REV.  R.  H.  CLARE. 

i.  Christ's  Church,  Hamilton  Township. 
The  history  of  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  congregations,  now 
worshiping  in  Christ's  Union  church,  Hamilton  township,  Mon- 
roe county,  according  to  the  old  German  records  on  hand,  dates 
back  to  1768,  although,  judging  from  the  large  number  of  com- 
municants then  already  gathered,  it  would  appear  that  the  Luth- 
eran congregation  must  have  existed  long  before  this.     A  baptis- 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  87 

mal  record  is  on  hand  bearing  date  of  1 763,  in  the  handwriting 
of  the  Rev.  J.  A.  Friedricus  (Friederici).  A  communion 
record  of  the  same  year  contains  the  name  of  the  mother  of  the 
child  of  the  above  record.  From  this  and  other  evidences  on 
hand  it  would  appear  that  an  effort  was  made  as  early  at  least  as 
1763  (we  may  assume  much  earlier)  to  organize  the  Lutherans 
into  a  congregation  in  this  section  of  Monroe  (then  Northampton) 
county.  The  first  evidences  of  a  permanent  organization  do  not 
appear  till  1768.  That  year  finds  thirty-seven  names  enrolled  as 
communicants,  and  the  following  year  seventy-three,  of  whom 
fifteen  were  catechumens. 

In  1775  trns  congregation,  as  well  as  its  sister  of  the  Reformed 
denomination,  had  assumed  fair  proportions,  and  in  that  year 
three  acres  of  land  were  secured  to  build  thereon  "a  church  and 
school  house  and  for  a  burial  place."  One  acre  of  this  land  was 
presented  by  Philip  Bossard,  of  the  Reformed  church,  one  acre 
by  George  Hartlieb,  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  one 
acre  was  purchased  by  the  congregations.  A  log  church  and 
school  house  were  erected  the  same  year,  and  prosperity  seems  to 
have  attended  their  projects.  The  relations  between  the  two 
congregations  seem  to  have  been  harmonious,  and  there  was  a 
steady  growth  of  membership  and  also  an  accumulation  of  wealth. 
In  182P  the  congregations  owned  several  hundred  acres  of  land, 
which  was  sold,  the  proceeds  being  devoted  to  the  erection  of  a 
new  church. 

Plans  were  completed  in  1829,  when  the  congregation  erected 
their  new  edifice.  This  new  church,  a  large  stone  structure, 
was  dedicated  November  6  and  7,  1830,  by  the  pastors,  the  Rev. 
J.  B.  Gross,  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  the  Rev.  H.  L.  Hoffe- 
ditz,  of  the  Reformed  church.     The  church  cost  $3,690.91. 

The  Lutheran  congregation  was  chartered  by  the  State  in  181 6, 
and  owns  a  parsonage  and  sixteen  acres  of  land  near  the  church. 
The  present  parsonage  was  built  in  1837,  and  extensively  repaired 
in  1883. 

The  Hamilton  church  is  properly  called  the  "  mother  church" 
in  this  county,  no  less  than  six  congregations  in  different  parts  of 
the  county  having  been  organized  by  those  who  at  one  time  were 
members  of  this  congregation. 


88  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

The  present  membership  is  two  hundred  and  forty. 

The  following  is  a  list  ol  the  pastors  who  have  served  this  con- 
gregation from  its  organization  till  the  present  time  : 

Revs.  J.  A.  Friederici,  1 763-1 790;  Frank  Niemyer,  1790- 
1803;  Chas.  F.  Fndress,  1 803-1 805  ;  C.  Diehl,  1805-1810;  J. 
Colson,  1810-1812  ;  P.  Rupert,  1812-1818;  H.  Kurtz,  1818- 
1823;  P.  Rupert  (second  term),  1823-1828  ;  J.  B.  Gross, 
1828-41;  Geo.  Heilig,  1841-1857;  S.  S.  Kline,  1858-1860; 
H.  Seifert,  1860-1869  ;  J.  R.  Focht,  1869-1874;  Geo.  Roths, 
1874-1882  ;  R.  H.  Clare,  1882-1892  ;  Cyrus  E.  Held,  1892. 

2.  St.  Mark's  Church,  Jackson  Township. 

St.  Mark's  Lutheran  and  Reformed  church  is  located  in  Jack- 
son township.  The  Lutheran  congregation  was  organized  about 
1830,  and  the  Rev.  Joseph  B.  Gross  was  its  first  pastor.  He  was 
followed  in  regular  succession  by  the  pastors  of  the  Hamilton 
charge,  interrupted  only  by  the  brief  pastorate  of  Rev.  A.  Rumpf, 
in  1857-8. 

In  1 85 1  Peter  Woodling  donated  the  land,  and  the  new  church 
was  built.  The  present  number  of  Lutheran  communicants  is 
sixty-five. 

3.  St.  Paul's,  Tannersville. 

St.  Paul's  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  of  Tannersville  was 
erected  in  1834  upon  land  deeded  to  a  board  of  trustees  elected 
by  the  "  inhabitants  of  Tannersville,"  and  the  building  and 
grounds  were  to  be  used  for  church  purposes  forever.  The  Lu- 
theran and  Reformed  congregations  conjointly  erected  the  build- 
ing, and  no  other  denominations  have  ever  worshiped  in  it. 
The  Lutheran  congregation  was  organized  some  time  previous,  and 
had  been  worshiping  in  a  school-house.  Rev.  Joseph  Gross 
was  its  first  pastor,  and  ministered  to  the  congregation  until 
1836.  He  was  in  turn  succeeded  by  the  following  clergymen: 
Rev.  George  Heilig,  who  remained  ten  years,  Rev.  Jacob  Rumpf, 
one  year,  Rev.  S.  S.  Kline,  Rev.  Henry  Seifert,  Rev.  Joseph  B. 
Focht. 

During  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  J.  B.  Focht  the  congregation 
severed  its  connection  with  the  Hamilton  charge  and  united 
with   a  charge   under  the  General  Council.     The  cause  of  this 


SKETCHES   OF   CONGREGATIONS.  89 

separation  was  the  "  new  measures "  introduced  by  the  pas- 
tor of  the  Hamilton  charge.  From  1869  to  1883  this  congrega- 
tion remained  in  connection  with  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, being  served  by  Rev.  J.  H.  Fritz  as  supply  for  the  six 
months  preceding  Easter,  1873,  and  by  Rev.  A.  M.  Strauss  from 
1875  to  l8S:- 

During  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  R.  H.  Clare  at  Hamilton,  this 
congregation  again  united  with  the  Hamilton  charge  of  the  Synod 
of  East  Pennsylvania  of  the  General  Synod.  Rev.  R.  H.  Clare 
was  pastor  from  1883  till  July,  1892,  when  Rev.  Cyrus  E.  Held 
became  pastor  of  the  Hamilton  charge,  which  includes  this  con- 
gregation. The  church  is  a  "union  church,"  and  the  Reformed 
and  Lutheran  denominations  worship  in  it  upon  alternate  Sab- 
baths. The  present  number  of  Lutheran  communicants  is  one 
hundred  and  twenty-five. 

4.  St.  John's,  Bartonsville — Hamilton  Charge. 

St.  John's  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  is  located  about  one 
mile  south  of  Bartonsville.  The  congregation  was  organized 
about  1 84 1,  and  the  Rev.  George  Heilig  was  its  first  pastor.  The 
church  building  was  erected  upon  ground  deeded  to  the  Luth- 
eran and  United  Presbyterian  congregations.  The  latter  body, 
however,  never  worshiped  regularly  in  the  church  which  was 
shortly  after  erected,  and  principally  by  Lutherans.  The  Luth- 
eran congregation  has  had  continuous  worship  in  the  church 
erected  about  1841,  and  has  since  its  organization  maintained  its 
connection  with  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod  of  the  General 
Synod. 

The  church  building  having  become  too  small  for  the  use  of  the 
congregation  and  very  much  out  of  repair,  ground  was  broken  in 
the  spring  of  1892  for  a  new  church  building.  The  corner-stone 
of  the  new  edifice  was  laid  June  5,  1892,  by  Rev.  R.  H. 
Clare,  according  to  the  usage  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  it  is 
hoped  that  the  new  church  will  be  ready  for  dedication  before  the 
close  of  1892.  This  congregation  has  since  its  organization  been 
regularly  served  by  the  pastors  of  the  Hamilton  charge.  The 
present  membership  of  this  congregation  is  one  hundred  and 
forty. 


90  east  pennsylvania  synod. 

5.  Brodheadsville  Church. 

During  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Henry  Seifert  in  the  Hamil- 
ton church,  a  Lutheran  congregation  was  organized  at  Brodheads- 
ville. Through  the  efforts  of  C.  D.  Brodhead,  the  sum  of  sixteen 
hundred  dollars  was  raised  in  i860,  and  a  union  church  was  built 
for  the  use  of  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  denominations. 
Rev.  Henry  Seifert  served  this  congregation  (organized  in  i860) 
with  great  acceptance  till  1869,  since  which  time  it  has  been  reg- 
ularly ministered  to  by  the  pastors  of  the  Hamilton  charge.  The 
present  Lutheran  membership  is  one  hundred  and  thirty.  The 
estimated  value  of  the  church  property  of  the  two  congregations 
is  $3,800. 

Located  about  one  mile  from  the  church  is  "Fairview  Acad- 
emy," under  Lutheran  control.  This  academy  was  planned  and 
built  in  the  spring  and  summer  of  1S81,  by  Prof,  (now  Rev.) 
George  G.  Kunkle.  The  first  session  opened  with  sixty  students. 
Prof.  T.  H.  Serfass  at  present  has  charge  of  the  institution,  which 
is  doing  a  good  work  for  our  church,  several  of  its  graduates  hav- 
ing entered  the  Lutheran  ministry. 

6.  Mount  Eton  Church. 

This  church  is  located  in  Ross  township,  Monroe  county,  Pa., 
and  is  the  joint  property  of  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  denomi- 
nations. The  Lutheran  congregation  was  organized  in  1884  by 
the  B.ev.  R.  H.  Clare,  then  pastor  of  the  Hamilton  Charge.  Rev. 
Clare  served  this  congregation  from  1884  to  1892.  The  Rev. 
Cyrus  E.  Held  took  charge  July  1,  1S92.  The  present  member- 
ship is  about  sixty.  The  church  property  owned  by  the  congre- 
gation is  worth  $5,000. 


XL  ST.  PAUL'S  CHURCH,  ARDMORE,  MONTGOMERY  CO. 

BY    REV.  M.  COOVER. 

In  a  country  home  in  Lower  Merion,  on  the  17th  day  of  Octo- 
ber, 1765,  three  male  infants  received  the  sacrament  of  holy  bap- 
tism.    From  this  recorded  ministerial  act  dates  the  history  of  St. 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  9 1 

Paul's  Lutheran  church  of  Ardmore.  Who  performed  this  sacred 
rite  and  ministered  in  spiritual  things  to  the  small  community  of 
Christian  believers,  no  record  tells  us.  No  church  building  shel- 
tered the  worshipers.  In  some  house  on  or  very  near  the  present 
cemetery  grounds  was  heard  the  German  choral  and  the  story  of 
the  gospel  told  to  listening  Christians  of  the  Lutheran  faith  in  the 
language  of  their  beloved  Reformer.  The  only  information 
which  can  be  secured  concerning  the  first  acts  of  this  organized 
band  of  earnest  Christians  has  its  source  in  a  recorded  purchase 
of  land  with  a  dwelling  house  to  be  used  for  a  place  of  public 
worship  and  a  plot  for  the  burial  of  their  dead. 

At  sheriff's  sale,  September  3,  1765,  sixty-six  and  three-fourths 
acres  of  land  were  purchased  by  Mr.  John  Hughes,  and  sold 
in  the  following  month  to  a  committee  of  six  men  to  furnish  a  lo- 
cation for  a  church.  By  agreement  on  the  part  of  the  committee, 
the  dwelling  house  located  upon  this  purchased  property  was  to 
be  used  for  an  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  "  as  long  as  the  sun 
and  moon  endure,"  and  six  acres  of  the  tract  were  to  be  reserved 
for  a  cemetery.  Should  the  congregation  become  able  by  sale  of 
the  remaining  land  or  by  contributions  to  build  a  church,  the 
dwelling  house  was  again  to  be  used  as  a  place  of  residence.  The 
congregation  however  failed  to  pay  for  the  tract,  and  in  1769  the 
committee  of  purchasers  sold  it  to  Stephen  Goodman,  who  in  turn 
conveyed  133  perches  to  a  committee  of  four  trustees,  himself 
being  one  of  the  number.  This  property  was  to  remain  "  in  trust 
for  the  religious  society  of  people  called  Lutherans,  of  Merion 
and  adjacent  townships,  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  thereon  one 
or  more  churches,  or  places  of  religious  worship,  and  as  a  place 
for  interring  the  members  of  the  Lutheran  congregation,  or  such 
persons  as  they  may  direct."  An  organization  was  no  doubt  ef- 
fected in  the  year  1765,  which  authorized  the  committee  to  make 
the  purchase  of  land  in  view  of  erecting  a  church ;  and  the  dwell- 
ing located  on  this  property  served  as  a  place  of  worship  from 
October,  1765,  until  1769,  when  the  first  church,  a  humble  log 
building,  was  erected.  There  is  no  history  of  the  dedicatory  ser- 
vice, nor  of  officiating  clergy.  From  the  time  of  its  organization 
until  1830  the  congregation  was  supplied  with  spiritual  ministra- 
tions chiefly  by  ministers  of  the  Germantown  pastorate. 


92  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

The  first  recorded  public  services  are  indicated  simply  by  a  mem- 
orandum of  collections  and  infant  baptisms.  From  this  we  learn 
that  there  was  preaching  on  Thursday,  Christmas-day,  1766,  and 
also  on  the  following  Sabbath.  The  first  stated  communion  was 
administered  September  22,  1767,10  forty-three  communicants. 
Services  of  similar  nature  were  no  doubt  held  previous  to  this, 
but  no  record  was  kept.  The  officiating  clergyman  at  the  dedi- 
cation of  the  first  church  building,  1769  or  1770,  was  probably 
Rev.  Mr.  Van  Buskerk  of  the  Germantown  pastorate,  or  his  suc- 
cessor, the  Rev.  John  Frederick  Schmidt.  Succeeding  the  minis- 
tration of  these  in  the  Merion  pastorate  were  Revs.  Henry  Miller 
and  John  Weinland.  During  the  services  of  the  latter  in  the  year 
1787,  the  same  in  which  the  revered  Henry  Melchior  Muhlen- 
berg passed  to  his  final  rest,  the  stone  school-house  was  built 
which  now  serves  for  chapel  and  vault  in  the  cemetery.  The 
church,  in  an  interesting  debit  account  with  the  builders,  in  addi- 
tion to  obligations  for  hauling  stone  and  sand,  shows  itself  debtor 
"  to  Christopher  Tomiller  for  one  day's  digging  foundation  and 
quart  of  rum,  5  shillings  and  9  pence."  In  those  good  old  days 
the  workmen  wanted  to  be  in  good  spirits  while  engaged  in  such 
sacred  duties. 

In  1790  Rev.  Frederick  D.  Schaeffer,  D.  D.,  began  his  work  in 
Germantown,  continuing  in  the  pastorate  for  22  years.  During 
his  associated  work  in  Lower  Merion,  the  second  church  was 
dedicated  in  the  summer  of  1 800.  The  old  log  church  was  torn 
away  and  a  stone  building  was  erected  in  conjunction  with  the 
school-house  built  13  years  before.  During  the  last  12  years  of 
Dr.  Schaeffer's  ministry  in  Germantown  there  were  no  regular  ser- 
vices nor  sacramental  ministrations  in  the  Lower  Merion  pastor- 
ate. A  transition  of  language  from  German  to  English  was  taking 
place,  which  made  demands  for  English  preaching  which  could 
not  be  supplied.  Until  the  year  1 799  the  meagre  church  record 
was  written  in  German,  and  for  twelve  subsequent  years  the  re- 
cord is  partly  in  the  German  and  partly  in  the  English  language, 
until  the  latter  became  the  prevailing  tongue. 

From  1810  to  1828  there  was  no  pastor.  The  pulpit  was  filled 
occasionally  by  Rev.  J.  C.  Baker,  who  succeeded  Dr.  Schaeffer, 
and  also   by  ministers  of  other  denominations.     The  recorded 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  93 

names  are  :  Rev.  Casper  Wach,  Rev.  Dr.  Runkel,  of  the  German 
Reformed  church,  Dr.  Ely,  Presbyterian,  of  Philadelphia,  who 
sent  as  pulpit  supplies  several  students  receiving  theological  in- 
struction under  him,  Rev.  Wm.  Bishop,  Presbyterian,  and  Rev. 
H.  G.  Jones,  D.  D.,  of  the  Lower  Merion  Baptist  church,  who 
served  from  1826  to  1828.  Mr.  Chas.  Kugler  then  invited  Rev. 
B.  Keller,  of  Germantown,  to  minister  here,  and  together  with 
Rev.  C.  P.  Krauth,  D.  D.,  from  St.  Matthew's,  Philadelphia,  and 
Rev.  C.  F.  Schaeffer,  then  a  student  under  his  father,  the  pastor- 
ate was  supplied  from  1828  to  1830.  In  1830  Rev.  Jeremiah 
Harpel  came,  the  first  regular  pastor,  officiating  at  the  same  time 
in  Cohansey  and  living  in  Francisville.  During  his  ministry  the 
third  church  building  was  erected,  a  stone  edifice  of  humble  pro- 
portions on  the  site  of  the  old  building.  The  corner-stone  was 
laid  May  14,  1833,  at  which  service  the  church  received  its  name, 
St.  Paul's.  Drs.  Mayer,  Krauth,  Demme,  and  Rev.  B.  Keller 
were  present,  together  with  the  pastor.  On  Nov.  24  of  the  same 
year,  the  church  was  dedicated,  the  sermon  being  preached  by 
Rev.  Mr.  Wolle  of  the  Moravian  church. 

Rev.  J.  Harpel  resigned  in  1834,  having  served  four  years. 
Succeeding  him  were  Mark  Harpel,  his  brother,  serving  for  a  few 
months,  Charles  Barnitz,  the  first  pastor  residing  in  this  pastorate 
and  serving  four  and  one-half  years,  and  Edward  Town,  two  and 
one-half  years. 

From  1842  to  1844  there  was  no  settled  pastor.  During  this 
period  Rev.  S.  D.  Finckel,  of  Germantown,  preached  occasionally. 
In  April,  1844,  the  property  of  the  church  was  increased  by  a  pur- 
chase of  several  acres  of  land,  which  together  with  a  former  small 
purchase  gave  the  congregation  a  possession  of  four  and  one-quar- 
ter acres. 

In  the  autumn  of  1844  Rev.  Nathan  H.  Cornell  became  pas- 
tor, serving  four  years  ;  and  following  in  order  were  :  Rev.  Wm. 
H.  Smith,  two  years,  Rev.  Prof.  H.  H.  Haverstick,  six  months, 
and  Rev.  W.  D.  Roedel,  four  years,  from  1851  to  1855.  In  Mr. 
Roedei's  ministry  the  parsonage  was  built,  a  substantial  house 
still  occupying  its  position  on  the  grounds  of  the  cemetery.  It  is 
no  longer  used  as  a  parsonage,  but  is  rented  by  the  congregation, 
the   location  being  somewhat  distant   from   the  present  church 


94  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

building.  After  the  resignation  of  Rev.  Mr.  Roedel,  Rev.  Mr. 
Haverstick  again  became  a  supply  for  six  months,  until  a  call  was 
extended  to  Rev.  T.  T.  Titus,  who  ministered  from  1856  to  1861. 
An  interesting  and  comprehensive  history  of  the  church  from  its 
founding  till  the  year  i860  was  written  by  Mr.  Titus  and  pub- 
lished for  the  pleasure  of  his  parishioners. 

Succeeding  Mr.  Titus  were  Rev.  J.  H.  Heck,  ministering  seven 
and  one-half  years,  and  Rev.  H.  J.  Watkins,  five  years,  1869-74. 
In  1873  preparations  were  made  for  the  fourth  church  building. 
A  lot  on  Lancaster  Avenue  was  presented  by  Mr.  Charles  Kugler, 
a  pillar  and  trustee  of  the  church,  and  gladly  accepted  by  the 
congregation  as  a  location  for  a  new  house  of  worship.  Rev.  Mr. 
Watkins  resigned  the  charge  before  the  church  was  completed, 
and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  W.  H.  Steck,  who  entered  upon  his 
pastoral  work  in  March,  1874.  The  new  church  was  dedicated 
September  5,  1874,  Rev.  F.  W.  Conrad,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  preach- 
ing the  dedicatory  sermon.  The  church  is  built  of  stone,  with 
the  audience  room  on  the  second  floor,  the  first  floor  being  used 
for  lecture-room,  Sunday-school  services  and  library.  Recent  im- 
provements have  fitted  the  building  with  steam-heating  apparatus, 
new  upholstery  and  carpetings.  Two  preaching  services  are  held 
every  Sunday.  A  weekly  prayer-meeting  and  an  active  Sunday- 
school  organization  add  to  the  efficiency  of  church  work.  The 
pastoral  aids  in  the  congregation  are  a  Mite  Society,  Woman's 
Home  and  Foreign  Missionary  Society,  and  a  Young  People's 
Luther  Alliance  ;  and  special  mission  aid  is  given  by  a  large 
membership  to  the  Mission  Society  of  the  Philadelphia  Con- 
ference. 

In  1883,  Dr.  Anna  S.  Kugler,  a  member  of  this  congregation, 
became  a  medical  missionary  on  our  mission  territory  in  India. 
After  five  years  of  service  and  a  three  years'  furlough,  she  again 
sailed  for  India  in  August,  1891.  Rev.  Mr.  Steck  resigned  his 
pastorate  March,  1890,  and  was  succeeded  in  July  of  the  same 
year  by  Rev.  M.  Coover,  who  accepted  a  call  after  the  comple- 
tion of  his  studies  in  the  Seminary  at  Gettysburg. 

In  1889  the  trustees  of  the  church  made  a  purchase  of  five  ad- 
ditional acres,  extending  westward  from  the  old  cemetery  grounds, 
to  furnish  a  larger  space  for  sepulture.     On  this  elevated  spot  are 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  95 

the  grassy  mounds  and  moss-covered  markers  of  departed  Chris- 
tians sleeping  the  years  away.  The  village  church  bell,  in  sound- 
ing distance,  tolls  the  hours  of  prayer  and  Sabbath  days  over 
resting  Revolutionary  heroes,  colonial  Christians,  and  ancient 
fathers  with  sleeping  families  at  their  side  :  over  forms  whose 
ardent  souls  loved  and  worshiped  on  the  spot  where  now  they 
sleep  their  last  and  quiet  sleep.  And  still  the  ministry  continues, 
from  wondering  babe  at  baptismal  font  to  slumbering  pilgrim 
borne  to  his  last  and  undisturbed  repose. 


XII.  ST.  PETER'S  CHURCH,  BARREN  HILL  (LAFAYETTE 
HILL),  MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 

BY  REV.  A.  H.   F.  FISCHER. 

The  early  settlers  at  Barren  Hill  and  vicinity  were  Germans, 
some  of  whom  were  connected  with  the  Lutheran  church  at  Ger- 
mantown,  six  miles  distant.  Owing  to  disturbances  in  that  con- 
gregation  during  the  years  1753-5,  some  Lutheran  and  German 
Reformed  families  bought  an  acre  and  thirty-five  perches  of  land 
for  the  erection  of  a  school-house  and  for  a  place  of  burial.  The 
purpose  of  the  purchase  is  thus  stated  in  the  deed,  dated  March 
14,  1758  :  "For  the  use  of  a  church,  a  school-house  and  burying 
ground,  to  be  erected  on  the  hereby  granted  lot  of  land  for  the 
onh;  proper  use  and  behoof  of  the  Dutch  Protestants,  their  heirs 
and  successors  forever,  and  for  no  other  use."  Both  parties 
united  in  building  the  school-house,  which  was  used  not  only  for 
school  purposes,  but  occasionally  for  public  services  held  by  Lu- 
theran pastors  and  Rev.  Michael  Schlatter,  of  the  Reformed 
church.  To  this  new  enterprise  several  elders,  formerly  of  Ger- 
mantown,  attached  themselves.  The  school-house  soon  became 
too  small,  and  in  1759  Christopher  Raben  (Robins),  of  White- 
marsh,  and  Wighard  Miiller  and  Christopher  Jacobi,  of  German- 
town,  informed  Rev.  H.  M.  Muhlenberg  that  they  intended  to 
erect  at  Barren  Hill  a  church,  which  was  to  be  under  Synod,  and 
in  connection  with  the  Philadelphia  congregation.  Miihlenberg 
was  thus  recognized  because  he  had  rendered  great  assistance  in 
the  erection  of  the  school-house,  an  acknowledgment  of  which  is 
thus  recorded   in  the   Minutes  :   "  Our  collectors  having,  in   his 


96  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

name  and  with  his  letters  of  recommendation,  raised  contribu- 
tions to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  school-house,  and  having,  after 
these  were  paid,  also,  by  means  of  his  written  petitions,  collected 
money  in  Philadelphia  and  in  the  provinces  of  New  Jersey  and 
New  York  for  the  building  of  St.  Peter's  church,  he  himself  hav- 
ing, at  the  same  time,  as  far  as  it  was  possible  for  himself  and 
fellow  laborers,  served  us  in  the  preaching  of  the  gospel." 

In  the  building  of  the  church  the  Reformed  had  no  share.  The 
ground  and  school-house  were  transferred  to  Revs.  Richard 
Peters,  Charles  Magnus  Wrangel,  D.  D.,  Provost  of  the  Swedish 
Lutheran  churches  in  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey,  H.  M. 
Miihlenberg  and  Henry  Keppele,  Sr.,  of  Philadelphia,  John  Kop- 
lin,  of  Providence,  Valentine  Miller,  Ludwig  Kolb  and  Matthias 
Sommer,  members  of  the  church  in  Whitemarsh,  as  trustees.  The 
first  school  teacher  was  Michael  Seely,  who  afterwards  became 
blind.  In  1765  Conrad  Bischoff  was  teacher,  and  in  1768  John 
George  Kiihn.  H.  M.  Miihlenberg  laid  the  corner-stone  of  the 
church  in  1761,  but  it  was  not  completed  until  several  years  later. 
It  was  a  substantial  stone  edifice,  with  galleries  on  three  of  its 
sides,  and  a  steeple,  surmounted  by  a  cock,  a  reminder,  doubtless, 
of  the  one  that  figured  in  the  history  of  the  denial  of  the  disciple 
after  whom  the  church  was  named.  It  remained  standing  until 
1849.  The  history  of  its  building  is  a  story  of  struggle,  prayers 
and  tears.  They  were  burdened  with  debt.  C.  Raben  en- 
deavored to  reduce  the  debt  by  means  of  a  lottery — a  means  often 
used  in  those  times  to  raise  funds  for  houses  of  worship.  Fifty 
pounds  were  thus  secured.  The  noble  Henry  Keppele,  of  Phila- 
delphia, gave  his  bond  for  three  hundred  pounds.  After  the  diffi- 
culty at  Germantown  had  been  settled  and  that  congregation  was 
again  united  with  Synod,  a  number  of  members  who  assisted 
Barren  Hill  returned  to  their  old  home,  and  thus  the  difficulties  at 
St.  Peter's  increased. 

On  March  13,  1765,  C.  Raben,  who  had  assumed  much  of  the 
debt,  declared  that  if  he  were  not  extricated  from  his  embarrass- 
ing condition,  he  would  sell  the  church  to  "  any  sect,  even  to  the 
Papists."  In  this  crisis,  Keppele,  Wrangel  and  Miihlenberg  each 
obligated  himself  for  one-third  of  the  debt.  Muhlenberg  ad- 
dressed  Ziegenhagen  at  London,  Francke  at  Halle,  and  others, 


SKETCHES   OF   CONGREGATIONS.  gf 

in  behalf  of  the  needy  church.  A  collection  in  the  Anglican 
church  for  a  non-conformist  congregation  was  not  allowed  in 
England,  but  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  sent  twenty  guineas 
out  of  his  private  means.  In  i  766  a  Reformed  creditor  threat- 
ened that,  unless  his  loan  of  one  hundred  pounds  with  interest 
were  paid,  he  would  bring  the  matter  to  court.  Under  these  cir- 
cumstances, Miihlenberg  had  a  transfer  of  the  property  made  to 
St.  Michael's,  of  Philadelphia,  so  as  to  afford  a  legal  protection. 
He  attempted  to  use  his  wife's  patrimony  to  liquidate  the  debt, 
which  she  sensibly  prevented. 

In  1  768  ninety  pounds'  worth  of  the  widely  celebrated  Halle 
medicines  came  to  Muhlenberg  as  a  contribution  to  Zion's  church 
at  Philadelphia  and  Barren  Hill,  to  be  equally  divided.  August 
4,  1768,  Dr.  Ziegenhagen,  chaplain  to  the  king  of  England, 
authorized  Miihlenberg  to  draw  on  him  for  five  hundred  pounds 
sterling.  But  what  principally  enabled  the  securities  to  meet 
their  obligations  was  a  bequest  of  thirteen  thousand  gulden 
($5,200)  from  the  Count  of  Roedelsheim,  in  Germany,  to  the 
German  Lutheran  congregations  of  Pennsylvania,  three  thousand 
of  which  ($1,200)  were  expressly  given  to  the  church  at  Barren 
Hill.  The  joy  of  the  struggling  church  can  be  imagined  better 
than  described. 

The  first  election  of  which  we  possess  a  record  (though  an 
older  record  is  mentioned  as  having  surreptitiously  disappeared) 
was  held  April  1,  1766,  when  Henry  Katz,  John  Bauer,  Andrew 
Koeth  and  Philip  Lehr  were  chosen  elders,  and  William  Hiltner 
and  John  Fischer  deacons.  In  June,  1769,  Rev.  John  Frederick 
Schmidt  accepted  the  charge  of  the  Germantown  congregation, 
and  preached  occasionally  at  Barren  Hill,  in  which  church  ser- 
vice had  been  previously  held  every  other  Sunday  by  the  German- 
town  and  Philadelphia  ministers  during  the  time  of  Pastors  John 
Nicholas  Kurtz,  1 763-1  764,  John  Ludwig  Voigt,  1  764-1 765,  Jacob 
Van  Buskirk,  1 766-1 769,  and  Christopher  Emanuel  Schultze, 
1 765 -i  769.  Through  the  war,  and  for  several  years  after  its  close, 
Rev.  H.  M.  Miihlenberg,  as  also  his  son,  Rev.  H.  E.  Miihlenberg, 
of  St.  Michael's,  Philadelphia,  officiated  here,  followed  by  the  Revs. 
Daniel  Schroeder,  17  76-1 782  (  ?),  and  John  Frederick  Weinland, 
1 786  to  1 789,  of  the  Germantown  congregation,  whose  several 
labors  helped  to  keep  the  congregation  together. 


gB  EAST   PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD, 

During  the  Revolution  the  church  received  considerable  injury,, 
having  been  by  turns  occupied  by  the  contending  armies,  and 
used  as  a  battery  and  stable.  Rev.  H.  M.  Muhlenberg,  in 
his  journal,  under  date  of  November  4,  1777,  says  that  "it  was- 
used  as  a  stable  for  horses  by  a  portion  of  the  American  army  en- 
camped in  the  vicinity,"  and  further  mentions  that  a  short  time- 
previous  the  British  army  had  been  here  and  taken  from  the  peo- 
ple their  horses,  oxen,  cows,  sheep  and  hogs.  Lafayette  used  the 
church  as  a  point  of  obseivation  during  his  brief  stay  on  the  Hill, 
in  the  middle  of  May,  1778,  and  came  near  being  captured  by 
General  Grant  with  a  strong  detachment  of  the  British  army. 

The  next  pastor,  Rev.  Frederick  D.  Schaeffer,  has  left  the  fol- 
lowing interesting  account  of  the  condition  of  affairs  at  this  time  : 
"  In  the  year  1 790  I  was  called  to  the  congregation  of  St.  Peter's 
as  its  regularly  ordained  minister,  and  found  the  church  and 
school  in  such  a  lamentable  condition  as  to  be  commiserated. 
Only  a  few  heads  of  families  remained  ;  the  greater  number  of 
children  had  already  been  sent  to  English  schools,  and  an  Eng- 
lish schoolmaster  had  been  appointed  to  teach  without  my  knowl- 
edge. The  church  building  was  in  a  deplorable  condition,  like  a 
neglected  or  disordered  house,  the  rude  walls,  windows  and  frames 
broken  and  shattered,  and  the  roof  appeared  also  ready  to  fall 
in."  As  the  church  was  injured  during  the  war,  the  congregation 
applied  to  the  Assembly,  who  passed  an  act,  April  13,  1807, 
authorizing  them  to  hold  a  lottery  to  meet  the  expense.  For 
want  of  unanimity  this  was  not  carried  out,  and  a  committee  of 
seven  members  was  appointed  in  1809,  through  whom  the  build- 
ings and  sunounding  property  were  repaired,  and  the  church  re- 
dedicated  January  7,  1810,  in  the  presence  of  a  large  assembly. 
After  a  pastorate  of  over  twenty- two  years  Mr.  Schaeffer  resigned, 
preaching  his  farewell  sermon  August  23,  181 2. 

Rev.  John  C.  Baker  followed,  and  remained  until  1828.  Dur- 
ing his  ministry  the  German  language  was  entirely  dispensed  with 
and  the  English  substituted.  Rev.  Benjamin  Keller  com- 
menced his  labors  in  February,  and  remained  until  1835.  He 
was  followed  by  Rev.  G.  W.  Schaeffer,  under  whom  the  parsonage, 
costing  nearly  $900,  was  built.  Rev.  F.  R.  Anspach  became 
pastor  January  1st,  1841,  and  remained  until  1850.     He  held  the 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  99 

last  communion  in  the  old  church  April  8,  1849,  when  the 
present  fine  edifice  was  erected,  at  a  cost  of  $6,471.46.  Under 
his  services  the  church  was  greatly  strengthened.  Rev.  W.  H. 
Smith  succeeded  him  in  1850,  and  resigned  May  10,  1852.  In 
November,  1852,  Rev.  W.  M.  Baum  accepted,  served  till  May, 
1858,  and  was  followed  by  Rev.  S.  Sentman,  who  resigned  April, 
1862.  In  his  ministry  the  centennial  celebration  of  the  church 
was  observed  with  appropriate  ceremonies.  Rev.  C.  L.  Keedy 
was  the  next  pastor,  1862  to  1865,  followed  by  Rev.  J.  Q. 
Waters,  whom  Rev.  J.  R.  Dimm  succeeded  in  1867.  Rev.  T.  C. 
Pritchard  took  charge  September  1,  1871,  and  remained  until 
July,  1883.  His  successor  was  Rev.  J.  Q.  McAtee,  who  resigned 
November,  1888.  February  1,  1889,  the  present  pastor,  Rev. 
A.  H.  Frank  Fischer,  took  charge.  The  church  at  present  num- 
bers about  240  members,  is  free  of  debt,  is  surrounded  by  about 
eight  acres  of  cemetery,  inclosed  by  an  iron  railing  and  wall.  In 
addition  to  a  good  parsonage,  with  an  acre  of  ground,  the  church 
owns  another  excellent  property.  Though  one  of  the  first 
churches  in  Pennsylvania,  she  is  still  bringing  forth  fruit  in  old 
age.  Her  later  sons  in  the  ministry,  Revs.  W.  S.  Freas,  I).  I)., 
M.  S.  Cressman  and  F.  W.  Staley,  are  doing  noble  work  for  the 
Master.  Her  history,  though  at  times  dark,  is  most  inspiring. 
Her  list  of  servants  contains  many  who  stand  high  in  the  annals 
of  American  Lutheranism.  That  her  growth  may  be  commen- 
surate with  that  of  the  great  city  on  v/hose  border  she  has  stood 
for  more  than  a  century  and  a  quarter,  is  the  prayer  of  all  her 
faithful  children. 


XIII.     ST.  PETER'S  CHURCH,  MIDDLETOWN,  DAUPHIN 

COUNTY. 

BV  MR.  S.  L.  YETTER. 

St.  Peter's  is  the  oldest  Lutheran  church  in  Dauphin  County, 
with  the  exception  of  the  "Hill"  church  in  Derry  township. 
Lot  No.  135,  upon  which  the  old  church  edifice  now  stands,  was 
deeded  September  18,  1764,  by  George  Fisher  and  Hannah, 
his  wife,  to  Peter  Woltz,  George   Frey  and  Dieterick  Schoball, 


IOO  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

of  Lower  Paxton  township,  Lancaster  county  (now  Swatara 
township,  Dauphin  county),  Province  of  Pennsylvania,  for  the 
sum  of  seven  shillings  and  six  pence,  with  additional  rental  of  one 
grain  of  wheat  per  annum,  payable  each  consecutive  first  of  May. 
The  deed  was  acknowledged  before  Justice  John  Allison,  and  at 
tested  by  Joseph  Greenwood  and  Henry  Renick.  It  is  written 
on  parchment,  is  in  a  good  state  of  preservation,  and  is  recorded 
at  Lancaster,  in  Deed  Book  M,  page  395.  It  bears  the  old  colo- 
nial seal  of  Lancaster  county.  In  the  same  year  a  petition  was 
sent  to  King  George  III.  through  John  Penn,  Lieut.  Governor  of 
the  Province,  praying  for  the  privilege  of  erecting  a  church,  and 
for  the  privilege  of  collecting  funds  for  the  same  purpose,  which 
was  granted  by  license,  bearing  date  September  28,  1764,  to 
Christian  Roth  and  David  Ettele,  to  raise  by  subscription  twelve 
hundred  pounds  in  the  space  of  three  years.  This  document 
bears  the  autograph  of  John  Penn,  and  is  countersigned  by 
Joseph  Shippen,  his  secretary.  There  are  no  papers  to  show  how 
much  of  this  money  was  raised.  It  would  appear  from  the  read- 
ing of  this  document  that  the  members  were  poor.  In  fact,  Da- 
vid Ettele,  one  of  the  Committee,  walked  as  far  as  Philadelphia  on 
his  collecting  tour.  Many  of  the  members  were  driven  from  their 
homes  by  the  hostile  Indians  who  roamed  the  surrounding  forests, 
and  who  for  years  had  been  desolating  this  frontier  with  toma- 
hawk, scalping  knife  and  torch. 

The  church  was  built  in  1767.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  by 
Justice  James  Bird,  in  presence  of  the  Rev.  T.  Engelland,  the  first 
pastor,  N.  Hornell,  Conrad  Bucher,  and  the  church  wardens  and 
elders,  Jno.  C.  Roth,  Jno.  Metzgar,  Geo.  Philip  Shage,  Gottlieb 
D.  Ettla  and  Jacob  King,  together  with  the  Building  Committee. 
There  were  placed  in  the  corner-stone  a  German  Bible,  printed  at 
Halle  in  1763  ;  the  shorter  catechism  of  Martin  Luther,  printed 
at  Philadelphia  in  1 764  ;  three  wafers,  a  half-pint  bottle  of  wine, 
together  with  some  money  in  Pennsylvania  currency. 

The  building  was  constructed  in  old  red  sandstone,  and  was  two 
stories  high,  with  a  gallery  on  three  sides  and  a  stairway  leading  from 
each  door  to  the  gallery.  The  windows  were  small,  as  were  the  panes 
of  glass  in  them.  The  first  floor  was  of  bricks  that  were  nine  inches 
square.     The  pews  were  narrow,  with  high,  straight  backs.     The 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  IOl 

pulpit  was  a  sort  of  martin-box  on  an  enlarged  scale,  supported 
by  a  post  eight  or  ten  feet  high,  and  reached  by  a  narrow  wind- 
ing stair ;  over  it,  like  a  huge  extinguisher,  hung  a  sounding- 
board.  There  was  no  provision  for  heating,  but  sixty  years  later 
stoves  were  introduced.  They  were  looked  upon  by  the  oldest 
members  as  a  dangerous  innovation.  The  first  stoves  were  cap- 
able of  receiving  into  their  interiors  sticks  of  wood  four  feet  in 
length.  The  membership  of  "St.  Peter's  Kirche"  numbered 
sixty-six  old  and  sixty-three  young  persons.  In  August,  1793, 
George  Frey  and  Jacob  King,  acting  for  the  congregation,  pur- 
chased lot  No.  134  for  ^3,  and  a  yearly  rental  of  one  grain  of 
wheat.  By  mistake  the  deed  was  made  to  Frey  and  King,  but 
their  executors  afterwards  conveyed  a  deed  to  the  congregation, 
bearing  date  October  7,  1807. 

On  the  10th  of  March,  1807,  application  was  made  by  the  con- 
gregation to  the  Supreme  Court  and  Attorney-General  for  a  char- 
ter of  incorporation.  On  the  21st  of  the  same  month  Gov.  Thomas 
McKean  issued  a  warrant  to  Timothy  Matlack,  Master  of  Rolls, 
to  issue  the  charter  prayed  for  by  the  petitioners.  In  1.8 13  the 
steeple  was  built,  for  which  purpose  the  sum  of  $1 21 1.35  was 
subscribed  by  one  hundred  and  ninety-three  persons. 

In  1826  Jane  Hannegan  sold  lot  No.  133  to  the  congregation. 

In  1830  the  brick  floor  was  replaced  by  a  wooden  one;  the 
straight-backed  pews  gave  way  to  more  comfortable  ones ;  a  new 
pulpit  was  erected,  with  steps  on  either  side  and  a  recess  under- 
neath where  the  pastor  could  retire  to  prepare  himself  for  his 
duties,  and  a  number  of  other  changes  were  made. 

In  1835  the  lecture-room  was  built. 

In  1855  the  parsonage  on  High  street  was  erected. 

On  September  4,  1867,  the  church  celebrated  its  centennial 
anniversary,  at  which  were  present  many  distinguished  clergymen 
and  persons  prominent  in  the  State.  On  this  occasion  one  hun- 
dred grains  of  wheat,  enclosed  in  a  silken  bag,  were  sent,  as  a  fuil 
satisfaction  of  one  clause  of  the  original  deed,  to  Hon.  Robert  J. 
Fisher,  of  York,  Pa.,  the  oldest  of  the  living  legal  heirs  of  George 
Fisher,  who  sold  the  church  lot  to  the  congregation.  The  Luth- 
eran ministers  present  on  this  occasion  were  Rev.  A.  H.  Lochman, 
D.  D.,  Rev.  Peter  Sahm,  Rev.  S.  D.  Finckel,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Prof.  C. 


102  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

J.  Ehrehart,  Rev.  G.  J.  Martz,  Rev.  G.  W.  Hemperly,  Rev.  W.  H. 
Steck,  Rev.  J.  B.  Anthony,  Rev.  W.  M.  Baum,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Peter 
Raby,  Rev.  F.  A.  Barnitz,  Rev.  C.  Reimensnyder  and  Rev.  J.  B. 
Keller. 

The  pastors  of  the  church  from  1767  to  1867  were  the  Revs.  J. 
T.  Engelland,  1 767—1  773  ;  T.  F.  Illig,  17 73-1  778  ;  J.  Kurtz,  1788- 
1793;  P.  Pentz,  1793-1795;  H.  Miller,  1 795-1803  ;  J.D.Peter- 
son, 1803-1812;  F.  C.  Schaeffer,  1812-1815  ;  G.  Lochman, 
1815-1826;  A.  H.  Lochman,  1826-1830  ;  J.H.Van  Hoff,  1830- 
1834  ;  P.  Sahm,  1834-1837  ;  S.  D.  Finckel,  1837-1840;  J.  Vogel- 
bach,  1844-1847;  L.  Gerhart,  184 7-1848;  W.  M.  Baum,  1848- 
1852  ;  B.  Sadtler,  1853 -1856  ;  C.  J.  Ehrehart,  1856-1865,  and  P. 
Raby,  1865- 187  2. 

In  1872  Rev.  J.  W.  Finkbiner  was  installed  as  pastor.  Dur- 
ing his  administration  it  was  found  that  the  old  building  was  be- 
coming inadequate  to  accommodate  the  increasing  membership, 
and  that  it  was  inconveniently  located.  Town  lots  Nos.  149  and 
150  were  secured  from  the  Frey  Estate  at  a  yearly  rental  of 
$15.00  each. 

At  a  congregational  meeting,  March  7,  1876,  it  was  resolved  to 
erect  a  new  church  edifice.  Plans  were  adopted  June  11,  1877, 
the  corner-stone  was  laid  Sept.  6  of  the  same  year,  and  the  church 
was  dedicated  Feb.  2,  1878.  It  is  of  the  Gothic  style  of  archi- 
tecture, containing  an  auditorium  on  the  amphitheatre  plan,  a 
Sunday-school  room  with  an  annex  separated  by  a  glass  partition 
from  the  infant  department,  and  a  library  room.  The  pews  in 
the  auditorium  are  constructed  of  chestnut,  ash  and  poplar. 
From  the  vestibule  to  the  front,  the  floor  has  a  gradual  slope. 
The  pulpit,  altar  and  railing  are  of  the  same  material  as  the 
pews.  There  are  three  large  memorial  windows,  size  12  by  20 
feet;  the  one  in  the  east  being  in  memory  of  Jno.  Croll  (who 
was  Superintendent  of  the  Sabbath-school  for  fifty  years),  by  his 
daughters  ;  the  south  window  in  memory  of  Margaritta  Cameron, 
wife  of  Simon  Cameron  ;  the  north  window  in  memory  of  Sophia 
Young,  by  her  son  James  Young.  The  structure  cost  $19,000.00. 
The  architect  was  S.  B.  Valk,  of  New  York. 

In  1883  Rev.  Finkbiner  resigned  the  pastorate,  and  in  1884, 
Rev.  H.  C.  Holloway  was  elected,  who  served  the  congregation 
until  1889. 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  IO3 

In  1890  the  present  pastor,  Rev.  F.  W.  Staley,  was  elected. 
At  his  installation,  Rev.  B.  F.  Alleman,  D.  D.,  delivered  the  ad- 
dress to  the  pastor,  and  Rev.  W.  H.  Dunbar  the  sermon  to  the 
congregation.  In  the  summer  of  1890  the  Sunday-school  room 
was  enlarged  at  a  cost  of  over  $3,000.00.  In  1891  a  large  pipe- 
organ  was  built  and  placed  in  the  church  by  Messrs.  Midmer  and 
Son,  of  Brooklyn,  at  a  cost  of  $3,500.00.  This  organ  is  one  of 
the  best,  has  an  excellent  tone,  and  adds  greatly  to  the  appear- 
ance of  the  church.  About  November,  189T,  Col.  James  Young 
had  the  walls  of  the  auditorium  very  handsomely  frescoed.  In 
September,  1891,  for  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  this  congre- 
gation, the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod  convened  in  this  church. 
In  the  spring  of  1892  the  parsonage  on  High  Street  was  sold. 
A  few  months  later  the  Trustees  of  the  church  purchased  for 
$6,000.00  the  handsome  and  commodious  residence  of  Mr.  J.  H. 
Baxtresser  on  Spring  Street,  scarcely  a  block  from  the  church. 
This  house  has  all  the  modern  conveniences,  reflecting  a  great 
deal  of  credit  upon  the  members,  and  giving  a  comfortable  home 
to  their  pastor.  The  property  belonging  to  the  congregation  is 
valued  at  $35,000.00. 

Early  in  the  present  century  this  church  seems  to  have  awakened 
to  the  necessity  of  imparting  religious  instruction  to  the  young. 
A  Sunday-school  was  organized  in  1819.  It  was  probably  a  crude 
affair.  The  children  were  taught  to  read  the  Bible  in  German 
and  English.  The  first  superintendent  and  teacher  was  a  Mr. 
Sneath  ;  in  1823  he  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Jno.  Croll.  In  1873 
Mr.  Croll  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Geo.  A.  Lauman,  and  in  1889 
Mr.  I.  O.  Nissley,  the  present  superintendent,  succeeded  Mr.  Lau- 
man. The  school  now  numbers  over  600.  The  membership  of 
the  church  has  more  than  doubled  itself  since  Rev.  Staley  became 
its  pastor.  Considerable  interest  and  enthusiasm  is  manifested 
by  the  younger  members  in  church  work,  and  the  present  out- 
look is  most  encouraging.  The  indications  are  that  old  St.  Peter's 
will  march  abreast  with  her  sister  churches,  and  will  gladly  do  her 
part  in  the  evangelization  of  the  world. 


104  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

XIV.     ST.  JAMES'  LUTHERAN  CHURCH,  GREENWICH, 
WARREN  CO.,  N.  J. 

BY  REV.  T.  C.  PRITCHARD. 

The  early  history  of  this  venerable  foundation  and  Christian 
church  stretches  over  two  centuries.  It  goes  back  to  the  date  of 
those  who  fled  from  the  horrors  of  the  "Thirty  Years'  WTar  "  and 
sought  an  asylum  in  the  New  World.  The  original  settlers  were 
German,  and  brought  with  them  their  religion  and  religious  insti- 
tutions. Before  the  erection  of  the  church,  religious  exercises 
were  conducted  regularly  in  their  households,  holding  in  their 
isolation  from  the  great  world  to  the  Lutheran  faith.  The  school- 
master, then  as  now,  was  abroad  in  the  land.  When  Johann 
Berger  arrived  in  Sopatcong,  he  assumed  the  additional  functions 
of  pastor  to  the  scattered  community.  He  had  never  been  or- 
dained, but  was  deemed  competent  to  officiate  as  reader  and  ex- 
pounder of  the  Scriptures.  He  read  to  the  assembled  families 
one  of  Dr.  Luther's  sermons  or  house-postils.  But  desiring  to  en- 
joy more  fully  the  privileges  of  the  church,  they  sent  to  Germany 
for  clerical  supplies.  In  the  "  Hallesche  Nachrichten  "  it  is  stated 
that  in  the  year  1760  letters  were  received  from  Lutherans  living 
in  "Greenwich  township"  and  "Anweel  or  Anwill  township,"  ask- 
ing for  the  preaching  of  the  gospel. 

In  the  same  work,  of  a  later  date,  the  statement  is  again  made, 
that  letters  or  messages  were  received  from  the  Lutheran  congre- 
gation of  "  Greenwich  an  den  Blauen  Bergen,"  showing  that  the 
church  was  in  existence  as  an  organization  previous  to  1762. 

The  first  church  erected  was  called  St.  John's.  It  was  a  union 
church,  Lutheran  and  German  Reformed.  This  was  in  1769. 
This  date,  too,  marks  the  beginning  of  preaching  by  stated  pas- 
tors. The  German  Reformed  congregation,  by  death,  removals 
and  other  causes,  became  extinct,  and  the  Lutherans  acquired 
sole  possession  of  the  property.  A  complete  re-organization  fol- 
lowed. They  changed  the  name  to  St.  James',  and  affiliated 
with  St.  Michael's  church  in  Philadelphia.  The  tenets  of  the 
new  organization,  formally  declared,  were  the  Unaltered  Augs- 
burg Confession,  and  through  more  than  a  century  of  existence  it 
has  clung  steadfastly  to  this  profession  of  faith. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  T05 

In  1 790  another  and  more  commodious  church  was  erected. 
It  was  built  of  stone,  and  was  a  great  improvement  upon  the  first- 

In  1834  the  present  large  and  beautiful  edifice  was  erected.  It 
is  built  of  brick  and  in  the  most  substantial  manner.  Thus,  dur- 
ing one  hundred  and  some  thirty  years,  three  houses  of  worship 
have  been  used  by  this  congregation  in  the  service  of  God  and 
the  culture  of  Christianity.  During  all  these  years,  the  organi- 
zation has  had  an  existence  which,  without  a  break,  has  come  up 
to  to  day  full  of  vitality  and  power  for  good. 

We  now  naturally  turn  to  the  list  of  those  who  during  this  pe- 
riod were  shepherds  of  the  flock.  Our  church  record  begins  A.  D. 
1769.  From  1  770-1  773,  Peter  Muhlenberg;  i  773-1  777,  Chris- 
tian Streit  ;  1777-1781,  Rev.  Braas ;  1781-1790,  John  Fred- 
erick   Ernst;     1792 ,    John    Conrad    Jeager ;     1812-1815, 

Christian  Endress  ;  1815-1837,  J.  P.  Hecht ;  1837-184 7,  Daniel 
Miller;  1847-185 1,  John  McCron  ;  1851-1S65,  J.  K.  Plitt ; 
1865-1868,  M.  H.  Richards;  1868-1880,  S.  Henry;  1880-1883, 
F.  T.  Hoover;   1883-the  present,  T.  C.  Pritchard. 

The  churches  at  Riegelsville,  Stewartsville  and  Phillipsburg 
have  been  at  times  parts  of  this  charge.  At  present  St.  James 
constitutes  the  field.  But  one  minister  has  gone  out  of  this  fold 
— Rev.  W.  A.  Shipman,  the  pastor  of  the  Lutheran  church  of 
Johnstown,  Pa. 


XV.     ST.  JOHN'S  CHURCH,  MAYTOWN,  LANCASTER  CO. 

BY  REV.  W.  H.  HARDING. 

The  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  of  this  place  was  founded 
upon  the  Augsburg  Confession  in  the  year  1770.  The  congrega- 
tion began  its  worship  of  God  in  a  little  old  log  church  at  the 
corner  of  the  old  town  cemetery.  Services  were  continued  here 
until  the  year  1804,  when  the  stone  church  in  which  the  congre- 
gation worships  to-day  was  erected. 

The  first  pastor  of  this  early  people  was  the  Rev.  Michael  En- 
derlein,  who  served  them  from  1770  to  1778.  The  number  of 
those  who  surrounded  the  Table  of  the  Lord  on  their  first  com- 
munion-day, in  1 770,  was  twenty-eight.  This  appears  to  be  about 
the  number  of  the  members  comprising  the  organization  ;  for  we 


106  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

find  that  at  the  two  communions  held  in  i  771  there  were  respect- 
ively twenty-four  and  twenty-eight  communicants.  A  brief  time 
after  organization,  a  number  of  persons  gave  gifts  to  the  congre- 
gation. Frederick  Swartz  gave  a  communion  cup,  Jacob  Wolf  a 
baptismal  bowl,  and  Mr.  Hofin  a  collection  bag  and  bell.  It  ap- 
pears that  the  bag  was  funnel-shaped,  fastened  at  the  end  of  a 
long  pole,  and  at  the  end  of  the  bag  was  a  little  bell,  which  would 
jingle  as  it  was  passed  in  and  out  of  the  pews.  The  preaching 
seems  to  have  been  all  in  German  for  a  number  of  years  after  or- 
ganization. The  following  places  seem  to  have  been  connected 
in  the  charge,  viz.  :  Maytown,  Elizabethtown,  Mt.  Joy  and  Mari- 
etta. 

Rev.  J.  Frederick  Ellery  was  pastor  from  1778  to  1784;  Rev. 
Frederick  Theodore  Melshheimer,  from  1784  to  i3oi. 

Rev.  John  Frederick  Ernst,  coming  from  Cooperstown,  N.  Y., 
preached  his  first  sermon  November  28,  1802.  During  his  min- 
istrations the  congregation  were  enabled  to  quit  their  old  log  sanc- 
tuary and  erect  for  themselves  a  very  pretty  two-story  stone 
church,  in  which  we  worship  at  the  present  time.  The  corner- 
stone of  this  was  laid  April  21,  1804.  The  communicant  mem- 
bership at  that  time  was  nineteen. 

Rev.  J.  P.  F.  Kramer  took  charge  November  2,  1806,  and  con- 
tinued until  181 2.  Rev.  Kramer  came  from  Paxton  township, 
Dauphin  Co.,  Pa. 

Rev.  Wm.  Gotthold  Ernst  served  from  March  22,  1812,  to  1815. 

Rev.  John  Jacob  Strein  came  December  31.  18 15,  and  served 
until  1825.  The  communicant  membership  in  ihe  year  1816  was 
forty-five  ;  in  1825  it  was  seventy.  From  this  year  until  Decem- 
ber, 1828,  we  can  find  no  record  of  any  pastor's  care  over  the 
church. 

Rev.  Frederick  Ruthrauff  took  charge  December,  1828,  and 
closed  his  relations  as  pastor  April  29,  1832. 

Rev.  Peter  Sahm  took  charge  June  30,  1833,  serving  until  1837. 

Rev.  L.  Gerhardt  took  charge  November  4,  1838,  and  contin- 
ued his  service  until  October  24,  1847.  It  was  during  this  pas- 
torate that  the  St.  Luke's  congregation  of  Bainbridge  became 
connected  with  this  charge. 

In  the  year  1839  St.  Luke's,  of  Bainbridge,  in  connection  with 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  107 

the  German  Reformed  congregation,  purchased  their  church 
property  from  Mr.  Henry  Haldeman,  and  continued  to  be  a  union 
church  until  September,  1891,  when  the  half-interest  held  by  the 
Reformed  people  was  purchased  from  them. 

During  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Gerhardt,  Rev.  M.  J.  Alleman,  now 
pastor  at  York,  Pa.,  left  St.  John's  congregation  to  take  up  his 
studies  at  Gettysburg  for  the  gospel  ministry. 

The  Rev.  Wm.  Gerhardt  (brother  of  Rev.  L.  Gerhardt),  came 
to  the  charge  November  4,  1847,  and  left  November  17,  1850. 

Rev.  Jacob  B.  Crist  came  March  1,  1852,  resigning  in  1855. 

It  appears  that  after  the  departure  of  Rev.  Crist,  Rev.  M. 
Sondhaus  came  ;  but  as  to  date  of  his  coming  or  departure  noth- 
ing definite  is  known. 

Rev.  W.  G.  Laitzle  came  June  1,  1855. 

The  preaching  points  at  this  time  seem  to  have  been  the  fol- 
lowing :  Elizabethtcwn,  Bainbridge,  Mt.  Joy,  Centreville,  and 
Maytown.  Up  to  this  date,  the  German  preaching  had  been 
growing  less  and  less  from  year  to  year,  and  when  Rev.  Laitzle 
closed  his  work  with  the  charge  (1862),  it  seems  that  the  Ger- 
man went  with  him  without  any  serious  objections  from  the  con- 
gregations. 

Rev.  B.  F.  Apple  came  August  8,  1862,  remaining  until  near 
the  close  of  1864.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  J.  W.  Early,  dur- 
ing whose  administration  much  that  is  of  interest  to  the  pastorate 
was  brought  to  pass,  as  is  recorded  in  the  minutes  of  the  Bain- 
bridge congregation,  from  which  we  quote  : 

"Bainbridge,  August  19,  1867. 
"The  Church  Council  met,  pursuant  to  call,  at  the  house  of 
S.  Hackenberger.  The  members  present  were  J.  S.  Horst,  S. 
Hackenberger  and  Geo.  Hackenberger,  Elders  ;  C.  Gamberling 
and  John  Fahs,  Trustees.  By  unanimous  vote,  Geo.  Hacken- 
berger was  chosen  chairman.  He  stated  the  object  of  the  meet- 
ing to  be  for  the  purpose  of  appointing  a  Committee  to  consult 
with  the  Maytown  Church  Council  on  next  Saturday  at  Maytown, 
concerning  the  change  of  pastor,  our  separation  from  the  Eliza  - 
bethtown  charge,  and  the  forming  of  a  new  charge  to  consist  of 
this  place  and  Maytown,  and  also  whether  we  will  or  will  not  ac- 
cept the  offer  of  the  Pennsylvania  Synod,  in  a  letter  sent  to  May- 
town,  all  agreeable  to  recommendation  of  our  present  pastor, 
Rev.  J.  W.  Early. 


108  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

"The  President  then  appointed  S.  Hackenberger,  John  Fahs, 
and  Geo.  Hackenberger,  the  Committee  to  consult  with  May- 
town  Council.  G.  W.  Hackenberger, 

"  Secretary  of  Church  Council." 

The  report  which  this  Committee  returned  after  meeting  the 
Maytown  Council,  is  as  follows  : 

"We  met  the  Council  of  the  church  in  Maytown  on  Saturday, 
August  24,  1867,  according  to  your  instruction.  By  a  unanimous 
vote  it  was  agreed  to  separate  our  churches  from  the  Elizabeth- 
town  charge,  and  to  form  a  new  pastoral  district  to  be  composed 
of  Maytown  and  Bainbridge.  We  took  no  final  action  on  the 
offer  of  the  Committee  of  the  Pennsylvania  Synod,  because  a 
majority  of  the  Joint  Committee  believed  that,  as  Maytown  has 
no  other  constitution  than  that  of  the  General  Synod  as  recorded 
in  its  English  hymn-book,  and  as  Bainbridge  is  constitutionally  a 
General  Synod  church,  it  is  best  to  refer  the  whole  matter  to  a 
congregational  vote,  the  majority  to  decide  whether  we  remain 
General  Synod  churches  or  connect  ourselves  with  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Synod  and  alter  our  constitutions.  It  was  believed,  how- 
ever, by  a  majority  of  the  Committee,  that  the  interests  of  our 
churches  can  best  be  attended  to  by  uniting  with  some  Synod 
connected  with  the  General  Synod.     *     *     * 

"  Agreeably  to  the  constitution,  an  election  was  published  Aug- 
ust 25,  to  be  held  in  two  weeks,  to  see  whether  we  shall  join  the 
Pennsylvania  Synod  or  seek  connection  with  a  Synod  connected 
with  the  General  Synod. 

"  S.  Hackenberger, 
"  John  Fahs." 

The  only  members  of  the  Maytown  Council  present  at  this 
joint  meeting  of  whom  we  are  able  to  learn  at  this  late  date,  were 
Harry  H.  Johnstin  and  John  Hays. 

"Luth.  Church,  Bainbridge,  September  %,  1867. 

"  This  being  the  day  appointed  for  a  vote  to  be  taken  *  *  * 
The  minutes  of  the  previous  meeting  of  the  Committee  were 
read  and  adopted.  The  report  of  the  Maytown  Committee  was 
now  read,  after  which  remarks  were  made  by  several  members, 
after  which  the  vote  was  taken,  which  resulted  as  follows  : 

"  For  the  Pennsylvania  Synod,  5. 

"  For  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod,  13. 

****** 

"  G.  W.  Hackenberger, 
"  Secretary  of  Church  Council." 

After  this  final  separation  of  Maytown  and  Bainbridge  from  the 


SKETCHES   OF    CONGREGATIONS.  IO9 

Elizabethtovvn  charge,  Rev.  J.  W.  Early's  labors  with  these  two 
congregations  came  to  an  end. 

Rev.  F.  T.  Hoover  came  May  24,  1868,  and  served  as  the  first 
pastor  to  this  newly-formed  pastorate  in  its  connection  with  the 
East  Pennsylvania  Synod,  remaining  until  1870. 

Rev.  I).  Stock  began  his  ministerial  duties  with  the  charge 
April  1,  1871,  continuing  until  1873. 

Rev.  G.  P.  Weaver  labored  here  from  May  2,  1873,  until  1875. 

Rev.  J.  V.  Eckert  from  October  1,  1876,  until  1880. 

Rev.  M.  H.  Stine  came  April  1,  1880.  During  his  ministry 
here  the  Maytown  congregation  received  a  handsome  gift  in  the 
form  of  a  beautiful  church  parsonage.  This  was  granted  to  the 
St.  John's  Lutheran  church  March  8,  1 891,  by  the  Hon.  Simon 
Cameron.  The  deed  declares  that  it  is  given  "  In  testimony  of 
the  love  and  affection  borne  by  him  for  the  memory  of  his  de- 
ceased wife,  Margaretta  Brua  Cameron,  who  was  an  exemplary 
member  of  the  Lutheran  Church."  Rev.  Stine  ended  his  labors 
here  July  1,  1882. 

Rev.  J.  Houseman  came  December  1,  1882  ;  Rev.  C.  M.  Au- 
rand,  March  30,  1884;  Rev.  A.  H.  Shertz  preached  his  introduc- 
tory sermon  November  7,  1885,  and  closed  his  pastoral  relations 
with  this  people  July  27,  1890. 

Rev.  W.  H.  Harding  accepted  the  formal  call  extended  April 
10,  1 89 1,  but  did  not  assume  full  pastoral  care  until  July  1,  after 
his  seminary  course  at  Gettysburg  was  completed. 

During  the  months  of  September  and  October,  1891,  the 
church  council  of  Bainbridge  entered  into  negotiations  with  the 
Reformed  church  for  the  purchasing  of  the  half-interest  in  the 
church  property  held  by  them.  The  price  was  agreed  upon,  and 
the  property  was  paid  for  in  full  April  25,  1892. 

In  the  winter  months  of  1891  and  1892  the  repair  of  St.  John's 
church  and  steeple  was  begun,  and  finally  completed  at  an  ex- 
pense of  $197.  In  the  fall  of  1892  the  parsonage  was  remodeled 
at  a  cost  of  about  $350. 

The  amount  of  the  pastor's  salary  is  $500  and  the  use  of  the 
parsonage.  The  present  societies  of  the  churches  are  the  follow- 
ing : 

A  prayer  meeting  and  a  Ladies'  Aid  Society  at  each  church  ; 


IIO  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

at  Maytown,  a  Woman's  Home  and  Foreign  Missionary  Society, 
and  the  Young  People's  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor. 

The  Sunday-schools  in  both  churches  are  in  excellent  order, 
numbering  about  200  at  Maytown  and  135  at  Bainbridge.  The 
present  membership  at  St.  John's,  of  Maytown,  is  139,  and  at  St. 
Luke's,  of  Brainbridge,  105. 


XVI.     ZION'S  CHURCH,  MANHEIM,  LANCASTER  CO. 

BY  J.  H.  SIELING,  M.  D.,  ASSISTED    BY  JOHN  M.  ENSMINGER,  ESQ. 

The  history  of  this  ancient  church  is  quite  interesting.  Unfor- 
tunately much  of  it  is  unwritten,  and  not  a  little  had  to  be  gleaned 
from  the  recollections  of  the  oldest  members  and  friends  of  the 
present  congregation.  Fragmentary  dottings  found  here  and 
there,  added,  developed  a  history  of  which  the  present  pastor  and 
people  feel  justly  proud. 

In  1 761  Nicholas  Merrett,  of  Warwick  township  (now  Penn), 
deeded  a  small  tract  of  land  two  miles  southeast  of  Manheim 
(now  owned  by  David  and  Mary  Conrad)  for  the  consideration 
of  one  silver  shilling,  to  Heinrich  Hans,  Ludwig  Becker,  Peter 
Erman,  Christian  Gyger  and  Martin  Spickler,  councilmen,  for  the 
purpose  of  erecting  a  Lutheran  church  thereon.  Here  was  built 
a  small  log  edifice  with  a  ground  floor,  which  stood  till  1770, 
when  a  firebrand,  said  to  have  been  brought  from  a  neighbor's 
dwelling,  razed  this  first  artificial  temple  of  the  wilderness  to  the 
ground,  just  as  the  pastor  (name  not  now  known)  appeared  upon 
the  scene  to  deliver  his  Sabbath  morning's  discourse  from  its 
sacred  desk. 

During  these  years  (1760  to  1770)  Baron  Henry  Wm.  Stiegel, 
the  founder  of  the  town  of  Manheim,  Sabbath  after  Sabbath 
gathered  his  workmen  from  the  glass  factory  and  others  together 
in  a  chapel  which  he  had  set  apart  in  his  palatial  residence  on 
the  northeast  corner  of  Market  Square,  and  in  the  German  lan- 
guage exhorted  them  in  the  doctrines  of  the  Lutheran  faith. 

The  church  was  founded  A.  D.  1770  out  of  the  remains  of  the 
conflagration  and  the  gatherings  of  the  noble  hearted  Christian 
Baron.  It  was  not,  however,  until  the  following  year,  1771,  that 
a  thorough  organization  was  effected.     Rev.  F.  A.  C.  Muhlenberg, 


SKETCHES   OF   CONGREGATIONS. 


•of  the  Borough  of  Lancaster,  was  elected  pastor,  and  he  wrote  the 
constitution  and  by-laws  in  German.  He  said,  "  We  will  bring 
order  out  of  disorder." 


ZION'S  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN  CHURCH,  MANHEIM,   PA. 


On  the  4th  day  of  December,  A.  D.  1772,  Baron  Stiegel 
deeded  a  beautiful  lot  of  ground  in  the  centre  of  this  most  beauti- 
ful town,  Manheim,  fashioned  and  shaped  by  his  own  hand  after 
the  town  in  his  native  country  and  given  the  identical  name,  for 
the  consideration  of  five  shillings  and  the  rent  of  a  red  rose  an- 


112  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

nually  for  ground-rent  in  the  month  of  June  forever,  if  lawfully  de- 
manded. The  romantic  rental  was  only  twice  demanded  by  him. 
The  trustees  named  in  this  indenture  are  Peter  Erman,  Henry 
Wherley  and  Henry  Martzall. 

A  log  church  was  erected  thereon,  with  three-sides  gallery  and 
a  candlestick  pulpit.  The  floor  was  made  of  brick,  and  the  walls 
were  chinked  and  daubed.  Near  the  close  of  the  eighteenth  cen- 
tury, Ulrich  Keyser  said  in  German  that  he  wanted  to  be  buried 
with  " Gesang  und  Klang"  (singing  and  tolling).  Consequently 
he  bought  a  500  pound  metal  bell  and  placed  it  in  the  belfry. 
It  was  rung  for  his  obsequies  in  1804.  About  1820  the  walls 
were  plastered  and  a  wooden  floor  put  in. 

The  following  pastors  served  this  congregation  (a  kw  dates 
lost):  Revs.  F.  A.  C.  Muhlenberg,  D.  D.,  1771-1778;  John 
D.  Schroeder,  1 778-1 782;  Fred.  Theodore  Melsheimer,  1783- 
1789;  John  David  Young,  1 789-1 790;  John  Fred.  Ernst,  1802- 
1805.  Rev.  Ernst  died  heart-broken,  and  lies  buried  in  the  yard 
of  the  church  he  so  faithfully  served.  He  was  beloved  by  all  the 
people  who  knew  him  ;  but,  for  delivering  a  patriotic  Fourth  of 
July  oration  at  the  Big  Spring  near  town,  the  church  council 
locked  the  door  of  the  church  against  his  entering  it  to  perform 
its  solemn  rites.  This  so  mortally  worried  him  that  he  took  sick 
immediately  and  never  recovered,  dying  with  a  broken  heart  the 
following  October  24,  1805.  Rev.  Henry  Scriba,  1807;  Wm. 
Baetes,  i8io-i828(  ?)  ;  Frederick  Ruthrauff,  i828(  ?)-i832  ; 
Peter  Sahm,  1833-1835;  C.  P.  Miller,  1836-1841  ;  Christopher 
G.  Frederick,  1842-1849;  John  H.  Menges  (who  introduced 
evening  service  with  tallow  dips  for  lights)  1849-June  23,  1851  ; 
Chas.  Rees,  1854-1856  ;  George  Haines,  1857-1858. 

The  church  was  rebuilt  in  1858  after  the  fashion  of  the  day, 
i.  e.,  a  one-story  brick  structure  of  somewhat  Grecian  architecture, 
with  a  low  pulpit  and  a  gallery  at  the  opposite  end  over  the  ves- 
tibule. The  corner-stone  was  laid  May  19,  1857,  at  which  the 
pastor  was  assisted  by  Revs.  Wm.  Baetes  and  J.  H.  Menges.  The 
church  was  dedicated  September  26  and  27,  of  the  same  year. 
An  eight  hundred  and  fifty  pound  bell  was  placed  in  the  tower 
by  the  congregation.  Revs.  D.  P.  Rosenmiller  served  in  1858; 
Jos.  R.  Focht,  1 864-1 868. 


SKETCHES   OF   CONGREGATIONS.  113 

SUNDAY-SCHOOL    ORGANIZED. 

In  1867  the  Lutheran  members  of  "  The  Manheim  Union  Sun- 
day-school" concluded  that  it  was  their  duty,  for  the  interests  of 
the  church  and  the  Master's  cause,  to  erect  an  enduring  monu- 
ment in  the  form  of  a  Sabbath  Home  for  the  children  of  the 
Lutheran  and  other  families  of  and  around  Manheim.  On  the 
10th  day  of  November,  the  first  session  was  held.  Mr.  Geo.  D. 
Miller  was  elected  Superintendent.  For  the  first  few  years  an 
old  melodeon  furnished  the  instrumental  part  of  the  music,  after- 
ward a  double  bank  chapel-organ  took  its  place  and  was  used  in 
school  and  church  service.  This  was  the  first  organ  in  a  Man- 
heim church.  The  first  quarter  of  a  century  of  the  school  has 
just  been  celebrated.  The  four  Superintendents  were  all  present 
— Mr.  Miller,  14  years;  Peter  Keath,  1  year;  D.  E.  Shimp,  1 
year ;  Ezra  Reist,  9  years.  Dr.  Sieling  is  the  fifth  and  present 
Superintendent,  the  first  in  the  second  quarter  century. 

Rev.  Kaempfer  served  1868-1869  ;  J.  C.  Barnitz  (Supply) 
1869-1870;  Jacob  Peter,  1871-1890;  John  H.  Menges,  June 
19,  1891-the  present. 

Under  this  pastorate  the  church  has  been  rebuilt.  The  corner- 
stone was  laid,  August  16,  1891,  the  pastor  being  assisted  by  Dr.  E. 
Huber.  The  church  was  dedicated  April  24,  1892,  the  pastor 
being  assisted  by  Rev.  R.  W.  Hufford,  D.  D.,  President  of  East 
Pennsylvania  Synod,  Revs.  M.  Fernsler  and  I.  W.  Bobst.  The 
present  structure,  in  the  eastern  end  of  the  church  yard,  is  built 
of  brick,  of  Gothic  architecture,  with  a  beautiful  base  course  of 
sandstone.  It  is  92  feet  long  and  55  feet  wide,  divided  into  six 
apartments,  viz. :  auditorium,  Sunday-school,  primary  class  and 
library  rooms,  and  two  vestibules.  The  rooms  are  divided  by 
Wilson's  rolling  partitions.  After  these  are  raised,  all  the  apart- 
ments are  thrown  into  one.  All  the  walls  are  frescoed  on  the  in- 
side. The  building  is  heated  throughout  by  steam  and  lighted 
by  gas.  There  is  an  organ  in  each  room.  The  auditorium  is 
graced  by  an  excellent  pipe  organ  made  by  Samuel  Bohler,  of 
Reading,  at  a  cost  of  $2,500.00.  The  building  throughout  is  of 
modern  finish  and  finely  equipped.  The  tower  is  80  feet  high, 
and  is  surmounted  by  a  weather-vane.  The  bell  was  donated  by 
Dr.  J.  H.  Sieling's  Bible  Class,  and  weighs  2850  lbs.  (E  flat).    The 


114  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

windows  are  all  stained  glass,  and  were  donated  by  individuals. 
A  large  Red  Rose  was  placed  in  the  circular  window  in  the  pul- 
pit recess.  The  rose  is  surmounted  by  the  inscription,  "  Baron 
Henry  Wm.  Stiegel,"  and  supported  by  the  name  of  "  Rev.  J.  H. 
Menges."  The  building  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $13,000.00. 
On  the  day  of  dedication  the  remaining  unprovided  debt  of 
$5,000.00  was  assumed  by  individuals.  It  is  proposed  by  the 
Stiegel  Castle,  No.  166,  K.  G.  E.,  to  erect  a  memorial  fountain 
on  the  beautiful  lawn  in  front  of  the  church. 

The  present  value  of  the  church  property  is  about  $20,000. 
The  membership  is  about  180.  The  Sunday-school  numbers  285. 
The  church  council  consists  of:  Elders,  Ezra  Reist  and  Dr.  J. 
H.  Sieling  ;  Trustees,  Jno.  M.  Ensminger,  D.  E.  Shimp  and  Chas. 
W.  Sheeler;  Deacons,  N.  W.  Long,  John  F.  Devert,  John  M. 
Ressler  and  John  K.  Bemesderfer  ;  Pastor,  Rev.  John  H.  Menges, 
in  the  sixty-ninth  year  of  his  age.  In  April  of  1891  this  congre- 
gation was  left  alone  in  the  "  Manheim  Charge."  "The  Hill 
church"  and  "Petersburg"  withdrew  to  form  "the  East  Peters- 
burg Charge."  The  services  are  principally  English,  one  German 
sermon  being  delivered  every  other  Sunday  morning.  Every 
Sunday  morning  and  evening  there  are  services.  A  very  interest- 
ing Young  People's  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor  was  organized 
August,  1892,  which  has  done  great  good  and  promises  to  be  the 
means  of  saving  many  souls. 


XVII.     PIKELAND    CHARGE,    CHESTER    CO.  — ST.    PE- 
TER'S, P1KELAND  ;  CENTENNIAL,  KIMBERTON. 

BY    REV.  J.  A.  HACKENBERG. 

i.  St.  Peter's  Church,  Pikeland. 
For  the  first  forty  years  the  records  of  this  congregation  were 
kept  in  the  books  of  Zion  church,  as  the  same  pastor  served  both. 
These  records  have  unfortunately  been  lost.  Hence  we  must 
look  to  tradition  for  most  of  the  facts  during  that  period.  The 
first  religious  meetings  were  held  in  private  houses  as  early  as 
1 75 1.  During  the  period  from  that  to  1770  reports  show  that 
Rev.  Henry  Melchior   Miihlenberg  visited  this  community  and 


SKETCHES   OF   CONGREGATIONS. 


"5 


preached  from  house  to  house.  Authentic  records  begin  in  1771. 
It  was  on  May  16  of  that  year  that  Michael  Konig  (descend- 
ants now  King)  and  Henry  Hippie  each  sold  to  Peter  Hartman, 
George  Emerie,  Conrad  Miller  and  Adam  Moses,  trustees,  a  small 
lot  of  land  to  be  the  location  of  a  church  and  burial  ground. 
Michael  Konig  sold  one  acre  and  eight  perches  for  twenty  shil- 
lings, and  Henry  Hippie  forty-five  perches  for  five  shillings. 

On  this  ground  the  congregation  built  and  dedicated  in  1772 
a  log  church  capable  of  accommodating  five  hundred  people. 
This  fact  Miihlenberg  reported  to  the  church  in  Germany.  Reg- 
ular services  were  now  held  by  the  pastor  of  Zion's  church,  with 
which  it  was  connected  as  a  pastorate.  The  preaching  services 
were  exclusively  in  German  until  the  term  of  Rev.  Jacob  Wam- 
pole  (1827-1836)  when  an  occasional  service  was  held  in  Eng- 
lish. The  English  became  from  necessity  more  and  more  fre- 
quent, until  the  term  of  Rev.  John  McCron  (1844),  when  the 
German  was  entirely  discontinued.  The  congregation  was  incor- 
porated by  the  Legislature  of  Pennsylvania  in  1779  as  St.  Peter's 
German  Evangelical  Lutheran  church.  From  this  point  we  are 
able  to  trace  the  succession  of  pastors  down  to  the  present. 

SUCCESSION  OF  PASTORS. 

The  regular  pastors  after  Muhlenberg  were :  Revs.  Ludwig 
Voigt,  1 7  79-1 790-3  (nominally  pastor  to  1800)  ;  J.  F.  Weinland, 
1790-1800  ;  Fred.  Plitt,  1804-1807  (  ?)  ;  J.  Rowenauch,  1807 
(  ?)-i8i  1  (  ?)  ;  Fred.  Jasinsky,  181 1- 18 15  ;  F.  W.  Geissenhainer, 
Jr.,  181 7-1 82 7  ;  F.  W.  Geissenhainer,  Sr.,  (serving  with  his  son), 
1818-1823;  Jacob  Wampole,  1827-1836;  Frederick  Ruthrauff 
1836-1843;  John  McCron,  1844-1847;  Daniel  Miller,  1847- 
1849;  Peter  Raby,  1 849-1858;  Samuel  Aughey,  1858-1859; 
Cornelius  Reimensynder,  185 9-1 863  ;  N.  H.  Cornell,  1 863-1 874; 
S.  S.  Palmer,  1874-1875  ;  J.  F.  Hartman,  1876-1880;  J.  R. 
Dimm,  1880-1882  ;  J.  A.  Hackenberg,  1882  to  the  present. 

SUCCESSION  OF  CHURCH  BUILDINGS. 

The  log  church  erected  in  1772  was  used  as  a  house  of  worship 
for  forty  years.  Up  to  this  time  the  church  was  exclusively  Luth- 
eran.    But  now  a  new  church  must  be  built,  and  the  Lutheran 


Il6  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SVNOl  >. 

people  entered  into  an  arrangement  with  the  few  German  Re- 
formed families  living  in  the  neighborhood  to  build  a  Union 
church.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  August  13,  181 1,  and  the 
church  dedicated  October  4,  181 2,  under  the  name  of  St.  Peter's. 
The  cost  was  $2,836.45*4.  This  building  was  used  alternately 
each  Sunday  by  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  for  twenty-two  years, 
when,  during  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Jacob  Wampole,  it  was  de- 
stroyed, with  its  splendid  pipe-organ  and  other  valuable  contents, 
by  an  incendiary  fire,  on  the  20th  of  January,  1835. 

On  April  24,  1835,  tne  corner-stone  of  a  new  church  was  laid. 
The  church  was  dedicated  April  12,  1S36.  This  church  was 
used  and  owned  conjointly  by  the  Lutherans  and  Reformed,  as 
the  previous  one  had  been,  until  1889,  when  the  Lutherans, 
feeling  the  need  of  a  church  of  their  own,  under  the  ministry 
of  Rev.  J.  A.  Hackenberg,  moved  for  a  separation.  This 
was  accomplished  by  a  public  sale  of  the  old  building ;  the  Ger- 
man Reformed  becoming  the  purchasers.  The  Lutherans  at  once 
set  to  work  to  build  a  church,  and  having  secured  a  lot  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  road,  laid  the  corner-stone  of  the  present 
beautiful  church  August  27,  1889.  The  pastor  was  assisted  on 
the  occasion  by  Rev.  M.  S.  Cressman,  of  Lionville.  The  church 
was  dedicated  free  of  debt  on  May  7,  1890;  the  dedication  ser- 
mon being  preached  by  Rev.  J.  H.  Menges,  of  Philadelphia. 
Cost,  about  $7,000.  The  present  prosperous  condition  of  the 
congregation  attests  the  wisdom  of  the  separation. 

OTHER  CHURCHES  GROWING  OUT  OF  ST.  PETER'S. 

This  church  has  been  the  mother  of  several  congregations, 
among  which  are  St.  Matthew's  Lutheran  church,  of  West  Vin- 
cent, and  St.  Paul's,  of  Lionville,  now  constituting  the  Lionville 
charge,  both  large  and  vigorous  churches.  Another  is  St.  Peter's 
of  the  General  Council,  a  stone's  throw  from  our  own.  This 
church  withdrew  from  the  old  or  original  organization  in  1840  on 
account  of  "new"  or  "revival"  measures  introduced  into  the 
church  by  Rev.  F.  Ruthrauff.     They  built  their  church  in  1843. 

The  fourth  congregation  formed  from  this  is  the  Central  Luth- 
eran church  of  Phoenixville,  organized  in  1876  by  Rev.  S.  S.  Pal- 
mer, on  retiring  as  pastor  of  St.  Peter's.     The  fifth  church  grow- 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  I  I  7 

ing  out  of  St.  Peter's  is  the  Centennial  Lutheran  church,  of 
Kimberton. 

Those  who  have  been  called  into  the  Lutheran  ministry  from 
the  membership  of  St.  Peter's  are  :  Revs.  P.  Sheeder,  M.  Shee- 
leigh,  Alex.  McLaughlin,  Jacob  Friday,  Ezekiel  Auld  and  M.  E. 
McLinn. 

One  fact  in  the  history  of  this  congregation  is  worthy  of  special 
mention  in  this  connection.  The  first  annual  meeting  of  the  East 
Pennsylvania  Synod,  after  its  organization  in  the  basement  of 
"Old  Trinity,"  Lancaster,  was  held  in  this  church.  One  of  the 
only  two  lay  delegates  present  when  the  new  English  Synod  was 
organized  was  Gen.  George  Hartman,  delegate  from  this  church, 
accompanying  the  pastor,  Rev.  F.  Ruthrauff.  He  invited  the  new 
ecclesiastical  body  to  meet  in  this  church  in  its  first  annual  con- 
vention, and  it  met  here  October  15-18,  1842. 

PARSONAGES. 

This  congregation  owned  a  parsonage  at  West  Pikeland,  about 
two  miles  from  the  church,  for  nearly  fifty  years,  but  on  account 
of  changes  in  the  pastoral  territory  its  location  was  found  to  be 
disadvantageous  for  the  pastor,  and  it  was  sold  and  the  present 
one  built  at  Kimberton  in  1884. 

2.  Centennial  Church,  Kimberton. 

The  Centennial  Lutheran  Church,  of  Kimberton,  was  organized 
in  1876  by  Rev.  J.  F.  Hartman.  The  first  church  council  was 
composed  of  the  following  : 

Elders — Isaac  R.  Root,  Josiah  Schultz  and  Geo.  H.  Detterline  ; 
Deacons — John  R.  Holman,  Benjamin  March  and  Peter  R.  Raby ; 
Trustees — David  P.  Thomas,  Jacob  Beaver  and  C.  F.  Bush. 

They  purchased  a  Quaker  meeting-house  and  fitted  it  up  for  a 
place  of  worship,  dedicating  it  in  1877.  During  the  summer  of 
1884,  under  the  ministry  of  Rev.  J.  A.  Hackenberg,  the  building 
was  beautifully  frescoed  and  otherwise  improved.  This  church 
has  been  since  its  organization  connected  with  St.  Peter's  in  form- 
ing the  Pikeland  charge. 

In  compiling  the  above,  valuable  assistance  has  been  received 
from  an  anniversary  sermon  by  Rev.  J.  R.  Dimm,  D.  D. 


I  1 8  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

XVIII.     PINE    GROVE  CHARGE,  SCHUYLKILL  CO.— 
JACOB'S,  SALEM'S,  ST.  PETER'S  AND  ST.  JOHN'S. 

BY  REV.  E.  S.  HENRY. 

i.  Jacob's  Church. 

This  congregation  was  organized  in  the  year  1 780.  It  stands 
two  miles  west  of  Pine  Grove.  The  first  church  was  erected  in 
1780.  The  second  building  was  put  up  in  1833.  This  house  of 
worship  was  renovated  a  few  years  ago.  The  congregation  owns 
half  the  parsonage,  is  free  of  debt,  and  has  a  few  hundred  dollars 
in  its  treasury.  Rev.  William  Kurtz  was  pastor  from  its  organiza- 
tion to  1798,  followed  by  Revs.  Andrew  Schultze,  1798  to  1802  ; 
John  Knoske,  1802  to  181 1  ;  George  Mennig,  181 1  to  1833  ;  Wil- 
liam G.  Mennig,  1834  to  1839  ;  A.  B.  Gockelen,  1839  to  1845  >  B- 
Sadtler,  1845  to  1849  '■>  E.  Breidenbaugh,  1849  to  1&S2  >  Elias  S. 
Henry,  just  ordained  by  the  Synod  of  East  Pennsylvania,  at  Potts- 
ville,  took  charge  September  21,  1852,  and  after  forty  years  is  still 
the  pastor.  The  congregation  is  composed  of  Pennsylvania  Ger- 
mans. The  greater  part  of  the  services  are  in  the  German  lan- 
guage. There  has  been  some  English  preaching  for  several  years 
past  in  the  congregation.  This  church  was  established  long  before 
the  town  of  Pine  Grove  was  commenced.  The  two  Lutheran  con- 
gregations there  took  quite  a  number  of  the  members  away  who 
formerly  held  to  Jacob's  church.  But  there  yet  remain  over  two 
hundred.  This  congregation  has  services  every  other  Sunday. 
There  are  several  Sunday-schools  kept  up  the  whole  year.  There 
is  communion  twice  a  year.  The  present  church  council  are 
Samuel  Stein,  Trustee ;  Oliver  Mease,  George  Emerich,  John  D. 
Felty,  Levi  Felty,  Elders ;  M.  Robinson  Hughes  and  William 
Aungst,  Deacons.  The  Rev.  J.  B.  Bergner,  of  Ohio,  entered  the 
ministry  from  this  church. 

2.  Salem's  Church. 

This  church  is  three  miles  east  of  Pine  Grove,  and  is  owned 
jointly  with  the  German  Reformed  congregation.  It  was  organized 
in  the  year  1783.  A  school-house  was  first  built  and  also  used  as  a 
place  for  preaching  for  a  few  years.  In  1 795  the  foundation  was 
laid  for  the  first  church.  The  work  was  carried  on  slowly.  The 
dedication  was  on  Ascension  Day  in  1797.     This  church  was  used 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  I  19 

as  a  place  of  worship  for  eighty-four  years.  In  1880  the  corner- 
stone was  laid  for  a  new  church.  In  1881  it  was  dedicated  to  the 
worship  of  the  Triune  God.  It  is  a  beautiful  country  church,  free 
of  debt.  There  are  over  two  hundred  members  in  the  Lutheran 
congregation.  The  members  are  all  Pennsylvania  Germans.  There 
is  not  a  foreigner  among  them.  The  services  were  formerly  all  in 
German,  but  of  late  years  the  preaching  is  partly  in  English.  The 
first  pastor  on  record  was  Rev.  Andrew  Schultze,  who  served  from 
1799  to  1802.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  John  Knoske,  who  re- 
mained until  181 1.  Rev.  Geo.  Mennig  then  became  pastor,  and 
remained  such  until  the  year  1833.  Then  followed  Revs.  J.  F. 
Haesbert,  1834;  W.  G.  Mennig,  1834  to  1839;  A.  B.  Gockelen, 
1839  to  1845  !  B-  Sadtler,  1845  to  1848,  and  Julius  Erhart,  1854 
to  1856.  In  May,  1856,  Rev.  Elias  S.  Henry  was  elected  pastor. 
He  has  now  served  for  nearly  thirty-seven  years.  The  preaching 
is  always  in  the  afternoon.  The  attendance  at  services  is  uni- 
formly good.  The  church  is  central  in  the  congregation.  There 
is  a  Union  Sunday-school  held  in  it.  There  are  no  debts  on  the 
church.  A  little  farm  is  owned  by  the  congregation.  This  church, 
as  well  as  all  the  others  in  the  Pine  Grove  charge,  is  furnished 
with  organ  and  a  fine  bell.  The  present  church  council  are  G.  W. 
Zerbe,  Trustee  ;  William  Kemmerling,  G.  W.  Subb,  elders  ;  Wil- 
liam R.  Nagel  and  Jonathan  Schwartz,  deacons.  Mr.  W.  C.  Heff- 
ner,  from  this  congregation,  is  studying  for  the  ministry. 

3.  St.  Peter's  Church,  Pine  Grove. 

This  church  is  owned  in  connection  with  the  German  Re- 
formed. The  building  is  of  stone  and  is  very  substantial.  This 
and  St.  John's  are  built  of  the  sandstone  found  in  the  Swobes 
mountain  near  by.  This  church  was  put  up  in  18 16.  It  has 
stood  now  for  seventy-six  years,  but  neither  this  building  nor  the 
St.  John's,  which  was  built  almost  fifty  years  ago,  shows  any  yield- 
ing to  the  ravages  of  time.  They  look  as  if  they  could  last 
for  many  centuries.  Rev.  George  Mennig  was  the  first  pastor. 
He  served  the  congregation  until  1833.  After  his  resignation 
there  was  discord  in  the  church.  Some  members  showed  much 
zeal,  but  it  was  not  according  to  knowledge.  They  were  very 
much  afraid  of  what  was  called,  at  times,  "New  Measures."    They 


I  20  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

would  not  allow  even  a  Sunday-school  to  be  held  in  the  church 
building.  The  books  of  the  Sunday-school  were  carried  out  into 
the  middle  of  the  street.  For  a  number  of  years  men  that  were 
not  connected  with  the  Synod  preached  for  the  Lutherans.  The 
following  members  of  Synod  preached  at  various  times  within  the 
periods  indicated,  viz.  :  J.  F.  Haesbert,  1834;  M.  Harpel,  be- 
tween 1835  and  1838;  W.  G.  Mennig,  1838  and  1839;  A.  B. 
Gockelen,  between  1839  and  1845  ;  J.  M.  Deitzler,  1846-1847; 
and  Julius  Erhart,  1854-185 5.  In  the  early  part  of  1855  Rev. 
Elias  S.  Henry  was  elected  pastor.  He  has  served  in  this  capac- 
ity for  almost  thirty-eight  years.  There  are  almost  two  hundred 
members  in  this  congregation.  They  live  mostly  in  the  country, 
whilst  the  members  of  St.  John's  live  mostly  in  the  town.  There 
is  peace  and  harmony  between  the  two  Lutheran  congregations  in 
the  same  village,  having  both  the  same  pastor,  and  many  attend 
services  at  both  places.  The  church  building  was  very  much 
changed  internally  a  few  years  ago.  It  is  furnished  with  an  organ 
and  a  very  fine- toned  bell.  The  present  church  council  are  : 
James  Clemens,  Daniel  Lehman,  trustees  ;  James  Hummel,  Aaron 
Rehrer,  elders  ;  Lyman  Croll  and  Jacob  Lengel,  deacons. 

4.  St.  John's  Church,  Pine  Grove. 

The  St.  Peter's  church,  of  Pine  Grove,  having  informally  called 
and  admitted  to  their  church  a  minister,  acting  under  an  ad  in- 
terim license  from  the  President  of  the  Pennsylvania  Synod,  a 
number  of  the  members,  not  approving  of  this  action,  resolved  to 
secede  from  their  connection,  erect  a  new  congregation,  and  build 
a  new  house  of  worship.  Accordingly,  they  met  on  the  evening 
of  April  10,  1845,  and  formed  themselves  into  a  congregation 
under  the  name  of  "St.  John's  Evangelical  Lutheran  congregation 
of  Pine  Grove,  Pa."  The  number  of  communicants  was  about 
thirty.  Rev.  B.  Sadtler  was  its  first  pastor.  He  served  the  con- 
gregation, in  connection  with  several  others,  until  1849.  His 
successor  was  Rev.  E.  Breidenbaugh,  who  served  until  the  year 
1852.  Rev.  Elias  S.  Henry  took  charge  September  21,  1852,  and 
is,  after  forty  years,  still  the  pastor. 

This  congregation,  in  connection  with  Jacob's  congregation,  two 
miles  west  of  Pine  Grove,  owns  a  very  comfortable  parsonage,  on  a 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  121 

lot  fifty  by  two  hundred  feet  deep.  There  have  been  improve- 
ments made  during  the  last  few  years  about  the  church  which  cost 
about  $1500.  The  church  has  no  debts.  It  has  some  hundreds  of 
dollars  in  the  treasury.  The  Sunday-school  has  also  some  money 
on  interest.  The  congregation  owns  a  cemetery  of  nearly  ten 
acres  of  ground,  in  which  many  of  the  membeis  of  the  other  con- 
gregations in  the  town  and  vicinity  own  lots  and  bury  their  dead. 
The  Sunday-school  was  organized  in  1836 — fifty-six  years  ago. 
There  are  still  two  connected  with  the  school  who  were  charter 
members,  viz.,  Mr,  William  Forrer,  the  librarian  of  the  school,  and 
Miss  Esther  Conrad,  the  superintendent  of  the  infant  department. 

A  number  of  ministers  went  forth  from  this  church  and  Sunday- 
school.  Drs.  F.  W.  Conrad  and  V.  L.  Conrad  were  formerly 
members  of  the  church  and  superintendents  of  the  school.  Mr. 
John  E.  Graeff  was  a  member,  and  superintendent  of  the  school. 
He  entered  the  ministry  from  here.  Rev.  James  T.  Kendall  was 
a  child  of  this  church  and  the  superintendent  of  its  school.  Rev. 
George  C.  Henry,  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  was  from  his  childhood 
a  member  of  this  congregation  and  Sunday-school.  His  sainted 
mother,  Sarah  Conrad  Henry,  had  been  superintendent  of  the 
infant  department  for  twenty  years,  up  to  the  time  of  her  death. 
Her  last  request  was,  "  Don't  give  up  the  church  and  Sunday- 
school  in  which  I  labored  so  long."  Revs.  Eli  Huber  and  H.  B. 
Wile  were  also  raised  in  this  Sunday-school. 

The  preaching  was  originally  English  and  German,  and  it  is  so 
still.  There  is  a  German  sermon  every  two  weeks,  and  in  the 
same  time  five  sermons  in  English.  There  is  a  Society  of  Chris- 
tian Endeavor  connected  with  this  congregation,  of  over  one  hun- 
dred members.  This  society  has  been  supporting  a  native 
preacher  in  our  mission  in  India  for  some  years  by  paying  $30 
yearly.  The  English-speaking  families  take  the  Lutheran  Obser- 
ve?-. A  number  of  Missionary  Journals,  are  also  taken.  There 
are  about  two  hundred  and  forty  members.  A  weekly  German 
and  a  weekly  English  prayer-meeting  are  held.  A  prayer-meet- 
ing before  preaching  on  Sunday  morning  has  been  kept  up  since 
1858.  The  present  church  council  are  :  M.  H.  Boyer,  T.  B. 
Hughes,  P.  F.  Seidel,  trustees ;  M.  Richter,  P.  Haug,  elders  ;  and 
H.  H.  Christ,  W.  M.  Druckmiller,  deacons.  John  A.  Richter  and 
M.  M.  Dieffenbach  superintend  the  Sunday-school. 


122  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

XIX.  SHOOP'S  CHARGE,  DAUPHIN    COUNTY— SHOOP'S 
AND  SALEM. 

by  rev.  w.  l.  heisler. 

t.  Shoop's  Church. 

Shoop's  church  is  situated  in  Lower  Paxton  township,  Dauphin 
County,  Pa.,  on  the  road  leading  from  Harrisburg  to  Jonestown, 
about  four  miles  east  of  Harrisburg.  It  is  said  that  the  first 
settlers  in  this  community  were  Presbyterians.  The  Germans 
came  here  a  little  later.  Few,  if  any,  came  directly  from  Ger- 
many. It  is  supposed  that  all  the  first  of  the  German  settlers 
were  Lutheran  and  German  Reformed,  and  that  they  came  from 
what  is  now  called  Lebanon  county.  "These  two  denominations 
were  at  that  time  the  only  sects  known  here  among  the  German 
settlers."  "In  the  year  of  our  Lord,  A.  I).  1783,  these  people 
united  with  each  other  in  the  erection  of  a  house  of  worship — a 
union  church  building,  which  was  finished  and  occupied  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord,  A.  D.  1784."  The  church  was  built  of  logs, 
logged  up,  chinked,  and  covered  with  clap-boards. 

On  the  first  page  of  a  very  old  book  was  written  in  German  : 
"  This  book  presented  to  the  church  by  David  Epler." 

"  Church  Book,  Register  of  Births,  Baptisms,  Confirmations, 
and  Deaths,  began  by  Frederick  Theodore  Melsheimer,  Evangel- 
ical Lutheran  Preacher,  Becks Vein  (Pax tang),  the  26th  day  of 
April,  A.  D.  1783." 

"  Soli  Deo  Gloria ." 
"  To  God  alone  the  "lory." 

This  book  was  used  by  both  congregations  for  the  purposes  in- 
dicated. The  following  was  also  written  in  this  book  :  "  Anno 
Domini  1794,  February  22,  the  church  was  closed  for  repairs, 
and  Stoffle  Shoop  and  John  Parthemore  were  appointed  for  the 
purpose  of  repairing  the  church."  Parthemore  charged  for  board- 
ing shingle-makers,  25  days,  £2  7s.  and  5d.  Shoop  had  the 
shingle-makers  in  board  and  received  £2.  After  deducting 
charges  for  boarding  shingle-makers,  there  was  left  in  his  hands 
April  13,  1794,  a  balance  of  17s.  There  is  also  a  receipt  of 
June  23,  from  John  Bim,  for  ^26,  for  work  done  on  the  church. 

In  1797  we  also  find  a  credit  claimed  by  Christian  Walhorn 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  I  23 

for  £1,  paid  Peter  Bobb  for  2,800  feet  of  boards  ;  also  for  £7 
5s.  5d.  for  work  at  building. 

We  find  on  record  a  deed  from  Christopher  Shoop  and  wife,  of 
Lower  Paxton  township,  Dauphin  county,  Pa.,  dated  March  20, 
1797,  to  Peter  Bobb,  Henry  Myer,  John  Parthemore,  and  Jacob 
Milleisen,  trustees  for  the  United  German  Lutheran  and  German 
Reformed  church  in  the  township  of  Paxton  aforesaid,  for  one 
acre  and  fifty  perches,  being  the  lot  of  ground  on  which  the  said 
church  now  stands,  acknowledged  August  12,  1797,  at  which 
date  it  was  no  doubt  delivered  ;  this  showing  that,  although 
erected  and  occupied  some  time  in  the  year  1  784,  it  was  not  com- 
pleted until  1797. 

The  building  was  large  and  substantial,  built  of  logs,  weather- 
boarded,  and  painted  white,  with  comfortable  pews,  end  and  side 
galleries,  the  seating  capacity  being  about  eight  hundred  persons. 
It  answered  the  purpose  of  the  congregation,  and  was  used  by 
them  until  May  28,  1829,  when  the  present  church  was  erected 
as  it  stood  before  the  late  alterations  were  made,  at  a  cost  of 
$2,100.  The  building  committee  were  John  Elser,  David 
Mumma,  Frederick  Shoop,  George  Hain,  Jacob  Shell,  and  Fred- 
erick Parthemore,  treasurer. 

The  present  building  was  enlarged  and  improved  in  1883, 
and  dedicated  January  13,  1884.  The  building  committee  were 
Joseph  Rudy,  Daniel  Metz,  John  Ebersole,  John  E.  Horstick, 
Luther  K.  Lingle.  The  cost  of  improvement  $5,224.68.  Min- 
isters present  at  the  dedication  were  :  Lutheran,  Revs.  J.  H. 
Menges,  J.  G.  Martz,  an  ex-pastor,  E.  Daron,  an  ex-pastor,  and 
S.  Dasher,  pastor  ;  German  Reformed,  Revs.  A.  S.  Stouffer,  pas- 
tor, D.  Y.  Heisler,  an  ex-pastor,  and  M.  A.  Smith,  an  ex-pastor. 
The  address  of  welcome  was  made  by  Rev.  A.  S.  Stouffer,  and 
the  historical  address  was  delivered  by  Hon.  David  Mumma. 

It  is  difficult  to  give  a  correct  history  of  the  pastors  who  served 
the  Lutheran  congregation  from  time  to  time,  inasmuch  as  only  a 
few  of  the  pastors  kept  correct  records.  It  is  evident,  says  Mr. 
Mumma,  that  there  was  some  service  in  this  locality  before  the 
"Church  Book,"  already  referred  to,  was  opened  in  1783. 
There  are  some  baptisms  recorded  as  early  as  1774,  and  one  in 
every    year  (but  one)   down   to    1782.     The  first  one  after  the 


124  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

opening  of  the  book  was  in  May,  1783.  But  who  performed  the 
service  of  all  but  the  last  one  we  are  unable  to  say.  It  is  fair  and 
reasonable  to  presume  that  it  was  done  by  visiting  clergymen. 
After  April  26,  1783,  the  Rev.  Frederick  Theodore  Melsheimer 
was  the  regular  Lutheran  pastor,  who  subscribes  himself  as 
"  Evangelical  Lutheran  Preacher,  Beckstein,"  the  latter  being  the 
name  by  which  the  church  was  then  known.  In  fact  the  name 
Shoop's  is  not  found  in  any  record  until  we  find  it  in  the  next 
church  register,  opened  May  23,  1830.  It  is  not  so  named  in  the 
deed.  That  is  to  ''The  LJnited  German  Lutheran  and  Reformed 
Church,  in  township  of  Paxton."  It  is  evident  that  at  the  date  of 
the  opening  of  the  church  register  aforesaid,  April  26,  1783,  the 
church  edifice  was  not  yet  commenced,  and  that  it  was  finished 
in  1785. 

It  is  a  matter  of  tradition  that  the  congregation  for  some  time 
worshiped  in  Stoffle  Shoop's  house,  until  the  church  was  finished 
and  used  for  worship,  and  that  before  any  regular  organization 
existed  traveling  preachers  frequently  visited  here  and  were  en- 
tertained by  Stoffle  Shoop  at  his  house,  and  held  service  there. 
Rev.  F.  T.  Melsheimer  officiated  here  as  Lutheran  pastor  from 
April  26,  1783,  to  1788.  He  recorded  but  one  communion  list, 
April  18,  1784,  containing  fifty-one  names. 

From  1788  to  1790  Rev.  F.  I).  Schaefferwas  pastor.     From  May 

1,  1796,  Henry  Muehler  (Moeller)  was  pastor.  He  subscribed 
himself  "  Pastor  at  Harrisburg,  Fast  Pennsboro  and  Beckstein " 
(Shoop's),  and  continued  at  Paxton  (Shoop's)  until  1803.  In 
1803  Rev.  George  Lochman  held  communion  services  here.  He 
was  then  pastor  at  Lebanon.  In  1804,  November  24,  Rev.  J.  F. 
Ernst  officiated  at  communion  services.  At  this  time  the  congre- 
gation was  evidently  without  a  regular  pastor.  In  1805  Rev.  John 
Paul  Ferdinand  Kramer  held  confirmation  and  communion  services 
here.  He  subscribed  himself  as  "  der  zeit  pradiger" — preacher 
for  the  time  being — "Berufen  Lehrer,  in  Maytown,  Lancaster 
county,  St.  Paul's."    He  officiated  as  pastor  from  1807  to  October 

2,  1808.  Here  we  are  left  without  any  record  of  services  for  four 
years.  On  Whit-Monday,  1813,  Rev.  F.  C.  Schaeffer  records  a 
service  held  b-  him  as  pastor  of  the  church.  From  the  fact  that 
he  was  pastor  at  Harrisburg  from  November  22,  1812,  to  May, 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  1 25 

1 81 5,  it  may  be  inferred  that  he  ministered  here  also  during  that 
time.  On  May  17,  1816,  Rev.  George  Lochman  became  pastor, 
and  continued  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  July,  1826.  In 
1826  Rev.  Augustus  H.  Lochman  succeeded  his  father  as  pastor, 
and  continued  until  November  29,  1835,  when  he  resigned. 

Then  followed:  Rev.  H.  G.  Stecher,  from  1836  to  April  2, 
1847  ;  Rev.  L.  Gerhard,  May,  1848,  to  September  8,  1850  ;  Rev. 
Charles  F.  Stoever,  October  1,  1850,  to  October  28,  1854  ;  Rev. 
George  J.  Martz,  December  1,  1855,  to  December,  1868;  Rev. 
H.  D.  Kutz,  1869  to  May  28,  1871  ;  Rev.  E.  Daron,  April  1, 
1872,  to  June  1,  1878  ;  Rev.  S.  Yingling,  June  9,  1878,  to  July, 
1881;  Rev.  S.  Dasher,  September  18,  1881,  to  1885;  Rev.  M. 
V.  Shatto,  November  10,  1885,  to  November  1,  1887  ;  Rev.  T. 
J.  Frederick,  January  2,  1888,  to  December  1,  1890  ;  Rev.  W.  L. 
Heisler,  April  1,  1890,  to  the  present  time. 

It  is  said  the  first  person  that  was  buried  in  this  graveyard  was 
a  woman  who  was  killed  by  Indians,  after  being  scalped  by  them. 

There  is  no  debt  on  this  church.  There  is  no  parsonage  be- 
longing to  the  charge.  The  amount  paid  towards  the  pastor's 
salary  is  $408.00.  It  is  supposed  that  English  preaching  was 
commenced  in  this  church  during  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Charles 
F.  Stoever,  about  1850.  A  Sunday-school  was  organized  in  this 
church  at  an  early  day. 

The  present  officers  of  the  church  are  as  follows  : 

Elders — William  Gerberich,  Amos  Fisler ;  Deacons — Morris 
Eshenour,  George  Machen ;  Trustees — Daniel  Metz,  Martin 
Kahler. 

The  Sunday-school  numbers,  at  present,  100  scholars,  15 
teachers,  and  the  following  officers  : 

Superintendents — G.  S.  Machen,  G.  Hetrick;  Secretaries — 
L.  B.  Nye,  David  Hetrick;  Librarians — William  Saul,  G.  Hain  ; 
Treasurer — Alfred  Crum  ;  Organists — Miss  Mary  Horstick,  Miss 
M.  Gertie  Fisher ;  Chorister — John  A.  Ebersole  ;  Artist — Daniel 
Fisher. 

During  Rev.  Mr.  Kutz's  pastorate  a  gracious  revival  of  religion 
was  enjoyed  by  this  congregation.  Many  souls  were  happily 
converted  during  this  revival,  of  whom  many  are  still  alive  and 
are  active  members  of  the  church.     During  Rev.   Mr.  Shatto's 


126  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

pastorate   there   was  also   a  revival   meeting   held,  and  quite  a 
goodly  number  of  souls  were  converted  to  God. 

2.  Salem's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  Oberlin. 

This  church  was  organized  in  1844,  service  being  held  in  a 
school-house  in  the  neighborhood  until  the  church  building  was 
erected  in  1846.  September  12,  1846,  a  deed  was  made  by  Peter 
Brenner,  Jr.,  and  Rebecca,  his  wife,  to  Jacob  Baker,  Peter  Bren- 
ner, Sr.,  George  Hocker,  Jacob  Eshenour,  Sr.,  and  Conrad  Peck, 
for  the  consideration  of  one  dollar.  The  date  on  the  corner-stone 
is  September  12,  1846.  There  is  no  date  on  record  when  the 
church  was  dedicated.  The  church  is  a  frame  building,  one  story 
high,  with  an  end  gallery,  a  vestibule  and  a  steeple.  In  1877  the 
church  was  enlarged  and  improved  at  a  cost  of  about  one  thou- 
sand dollars.     There  is  no  record  of  re-dedication.  " 

The  pastors  have  been  as  follows  :  Rev.  J.  Vogelbach,  1845  to 
September  22,  1847  ;  Rev.  L.  Gerhardt,  November  4,  1847,  to 
October  1,  1850;  Rev.  J.  Vogelbach,  October  13,  1850,  to  April 
11,  1852;  Rev.  D.  Maier,  April,  1852;  Rev.  George  J.  Martz, 
December  1,  1855,  to  October  27,  t868  ;  Rev.  H.  D.  Kutz,  1869 
to  August  18,  1 8 71  ;  Rev.  E.  Daron,  April  1,  1872,  to  January  1, 
1878,  when  he  resigned  and  left;  Rev.  Samuel  Yingling,  June  1, 
1878,  to  July  1881  ;  Rev.  S.  Dasher,  September  18.  1881,  to 
1885  ;  Rev.  M.  V.  Shatto,  December  1,  1885,  to  November  1, 
1887  ;  Rev.  T.  J.  Frederick,  January  2,  1888,  to  December  1, 
1890  ;  Rev.  W.  L.  Heisler,  April  1,  1891,  to  the  present  time. 

This  congregation  has  always  been  in  connection  with  Shoop's 
church.  English  preaching  was  introduced  in  this  church  when 
Rev.  George  J.  Martz.  was  pastor.  There  is  no  debt  remaining 
on  the  church  property.  There  is  no  parsonage  belonging  to  the 
charge.  This  congregation  pays  $264  towards  the  pastor's  salary. 
Five  families  take  the  Lutheran  Observer.  There  is  a  Christian 
Endeavor  Society  in  connection  with  the  church,  which  is  con- 
ducted by  the  young  people. 

The  Sunday-school  was  organized  March  29,  1874,  at  which 
time  the  following  officers  were  elected  :  Superintendent,  Frank 
C.  Earnest ;  Assistant  Superintendent,  Christian  Hess  ;  Secretary, 
A.  B.  Dunkle  ;  Treasurer,  Henry  Becker  ;  Librarian,  Jacob  Rei- 
gert ;  Assistant  Librarian,  Mrs.  Dobson. 


SKETCHES   OF   CONGREGATIONS.  127 

The  first  session  was  held  the  following  Sunday,  April  5,  1874, 
at  1  :  30  p.  m.  The  present  officers  are  :  Superintendent,  Samuel 
A.  Brehm  ;  Assistant  Superintendent,  Jacob  Reigert ;  Secretary, 
Elmore  Handshaw  ;  Librarian,  Jacob  E.  Bishop;  Assistant  Li- 
brarian, Miss  Maggie  Hocker  ;  Treasurer,  George  Hocker.  There 
are  at  present  twenty-one  officers  and  teachers  and  two  hundred 
and  nineteen  scholars. 

The  present  officers  of  this  church  are  as  follows  :  Elders — 
Joseph  Brehm,  John  Pifer  ;  Deacons — Benjamin  C.  Hoover,  John 
W.  Shakespere,  Jr.  ;  Trustees — Michael  Barnhardt,  John  B.  Reed. 


XX.     ZION  CHURCH,  HARRISBURG. 

BY  REV.  D.  M.  GILBERT,  I).  D. 

Prior  to  the  year  1787  the  Christian  people  of  all  denomina- 
tions in  Harrisburg,  then  a  town  of  about  one  hundred  houses, 
worshiped  together  in  a  small  log  school-house  which  stood  on  the 
north  corner  of  Third  and  Walnut  streets,  at  the  foot  of  what  is 
now  Capitol  Hill.  They  enjoyed  only  such  irregular  and  occa- 
sional services  as  might  be  obtained  from  visiting  ministers. 

On  March  12,  1787,  a  subscription  was  opened  to  procure  funds 
for  the  erection  of  the  first  church  edifice  of  the  town.  The  sub- 
scribers were  largely  Germans,  members  of  the  Lutheran  and 
Reformed  churches,  and  although  others  were  granted  certain 
privileges  in  it,  the  building  was  jointly  owned  and  statedly  occu- 
pied by  the  people  of  these  two  communions.  The  first  church 
in  Harrisburg,  built  of  logs,  was  erected  in  the  year  above  named, 
on  lot  No.  187  (corner  Third  and  Chestnut  streets),  which  was 
donated  for  the  purpose,  under  certain  reservations,  by  John 
Harris,  the  founder  of  the  town.  The  building  was  35  feet  5 
inches  by  30  feet  5  inches  in  dimensions,  an  .  was  used  jointly  by 
the  two  congregations  for  about  27  years.  After  the  death  of 
John  Harris,  in  1791,  his  heirs  released  all  their  interest  in  the 
church  lot  to  the  Trustees  of  the  Reformed  and  Lutheran  churches 
for  the  sum  of  five  shillings.  Rev.  A.  Hautz  became  the  first  pas- 
tor of  the  Reformed  church  (and  first  resident  minister  of  the 
town),  while  the  Lutheran  congregation  was  served,  more  or  less 


128  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

regularly,  by  Rev.  F.  D.  Schaeffer,  of  Carlisle.  These  two  con- 
gregations appear  to  have  been  united  in  their  temporal  affairs  and 
all  church  regulations  from  i  787  to  1  795.  In  the  latter  year  Rev. 
Henry  Moeller  became  the  first  regular  resident  pastor  of  our 
church  in  Harrisburg,  and  with  his  ministry  its  Protocol,  or  Regis- 
ter, begins.  The  first  entry  in  the  record  of  baptisms  reads : 
"Benjamin,  born  20th  Feb'y,  baptized  29th  March  (1795). 
Parents,  Benjamin  Kurtz  and  wife  Elizabeth." 

In  1 8 14,  under  the  pastorship  of  Rev.  Frederick  Christian 
Schaeffer,  the  congregation,  feeling  that  the  time  had  come  for 
them  to  build  a  church  for  their  own  exclusive  use,  purchased  a 
desirable  lot  on  Fourth  street,  between  Market  and  Chestnut 
streets,  which  has  continued  to  be  the  site  of  their  church  home 
to  this  day.  On  January  26,  in  the  year  named,  a  Building  Com- 
mittee was  appointed,  consisting  of  Christian  Kunkel,  Geo.  Youse, 
Geo.  Ziegler  and  Christian  Stahl,  who,  on  the  14th  of  the  month 
following,  contracted  with  Stephen  Hills  for  the  building  of  a 
handsome  brick  church.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  June  22, 
1814,  the  following  ministers  being  present  :  Revs.  George 
Schmucker,  of  Yorktown,  Geo.  Lochman,  of  Lebanon,  H.  Van- 
hoff,  of  Jonestown,  W.  G.  Ernst,  of  Marietta,  and  J.  P.  Hecht,  of* 
Carlisle.  The  church  was  dedicated  October  t,  1815,  Revs. 
Schmucker,  Vanhoff  and  Hecht  taking  part  in  the  services  of  the 
occasion.  The  afternoons  of  October  16  and  17  were  set  apart 
for  the  renting  of  the  pews,  when,  in  the  words  of  the  original  re- 
cord, "  to  the  complete  surprise  of  everybody  every  pew  was  taken 
the  first  day."  In  1816  the  congregation  sold  their  interest  in 
the  old  church  and  lot  to  their  Reformed  brethren  for  one  thou- 
sand dollars.  In  the  year  1822  a  large  two-story  brick  school- 
house  was  built  on  the  lot  at  the  side  of  the  church,  particularly 
for  the  accommodation  of  the  Sunday  school.  In  1829  the 
church  was  improved  by  the  building  of  a  steeple  upon  it,  in 
which  a  bell  was  placed,  and  on  October  21,  1838,  the  entire  edi- 
fice and  the  adjoining  school- house  were  destroyed  by  fire.  On 
the  following  day,  in  compliance  with  the  request  of  the  vestry 
and  the  pastor,  Rev.  Samuel  Sprecher,  the  congregation  assembled 
at  the  ruins,  and  promptly  resolved  that  the  church  should  be  re- 
built.    A  committee  was  at  once  appointed  to  take  general  over- 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  I  29 

sight  of  the  enterprise,  and  so  vigorously  was  the  work  prosecuted 
that  on  November  10  (Luther  Day),  1839,  the  new  Zion  was 
dedicated.  It  was  64  feet  front  and  84  feet  deep,  with  basement, 
lecture  room  and  Sunday-school  rooms.  It  was  built  of  brick, 
covered  with  composition, painted  white,  and  in  the  cupola  hung 
two  bells.  It  was  in  this  new  and  spacious  building,  before  its  dedi- 
cation, that  the  convention  was  held  which  nominated  General 
W.  H.  Ha/rison  for  President  and  John  Tyler  for  Vice-President 
of  the  United  States.  The  edifice  was  remodeled  and  enlarged 
in  1867-68  at  an  expense  of  nearly  forty  thousand  dollars,  includ- 
ing the  organ  and  a  chime  of  eleven  bells.  It  is  now  104  feet 
deep  by  64  front,  and  its  tower  and  spire  175  feet  high.  At  this 
time  (September,  1892)  a  chapel  extension  is  being  added  to 
the  Sunday-school  rooms  and  other  improvements  under  way,  at 
an  estimated  cost  of  six  thousand  dollars. 

zion's  pastors. 
Between  1 795  and  the  present  time  our  congregation  has  been 
served  by  twelve  regular  pastors,  as  follows :  Henry  Moeller, 
from  1795  to  T8o3  ;  John  Dietrich  Peterson,  from  April,  1803, 
to  181 2  ;  Fred'k  Christian  Schaeffer,  from  November,  181 2,  to 
June,  18 1 5  ;  George  Lochman,  from  August  30,  181 5,  to  the  day 
of  his  death,  July  10,  1826  ;  Augustus  H.  Lochman,  from  April 
2,  1827,  to  February  17,  1836;  Samuel  Sprecher,  from  June  6, 
1836,  to  November,  1840  ;  Charles  VV.  Schaeffer,  from  January, 
1 84 1,  to  June,  1849  !  Charles  A.  Hay,  from  July  8,  1849,  t0  Sep- 
tember  4,  1865  ;  George  F.  Stelling,  from  December  21,  1865,  to 
July  1,  1875;  Joel  Swartz,  from  September,  1875,  to  1880; 
Albert  H.  Studebaker,  from  February,  1881,  to  November,  1886; 
D.  M.  Gilbert,  from  December  1,  1887,  to  the  present  time. 

zion's  children. 
Our  congregation  has  not  only  an  extended,  but  a  very  credit- 
able history.  Ever  zealous  for  the  spread  of  the  Redeemer's 
kingdom,  she  has  been  a  faithful  mother  of  churches.  The  first 
two  pastors  officiated  at  public  service  in  the  German  language 
alone  ;  but  about  the  year  1812,  yielding  to  the  demand  of  many 
members  for  a  change,  the  use  of  the  English  tongue  was  intro- 


130  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

duced.  The  English  services  steadily  increased  in  number  up  to 
1842,  when  scarcely  one  sermon  a  month  was  given  in  German. 
This  state  of  things  was  far  from  satisfactory  to  the  Germans,  and 
both  the  English  and  the  German  portions  of  the  membership  hav- 
ing sufficiently  increased  in  numbers,  a  friendly  separation  was 
effected,  and  on  January  8,  1843,  St.  Michael's  German  Lutheran 
church  was  organized,  with  Rev.  G.  J.  Martz  as  its  first  pastor. 
From  that  time  forward  the  services  in  Zion  have  been„of'course, 
altogether  in  the  English  language. 

In  1863  a  second  German  church  (Zion)  was  organized  sev- 
eral squares  north  of  the  Capitol,  St.  Michael's  being  on  South 
Second  street,  in  the  lower  part  of  the  city. 

Messiah  Church,  corner  of  Sixth  &  Forster  streets,  grew  out  of 
a  Mission  Sunday-school,  founded  on  East  State  street,  January 
11,  1858,  by  the  Sunday-school  Association  of  Zion  church.  In 
March  of  that  year  a  lot  was  leased  and  a  small  chapel  built,  in 
which,  during  the  following  winter,  Dr.  Hay  preached  on  alternate 
Sunday  afternoons.  The  congregation  was  regularly  organized 
September  13,  i860,  with  Rev.  E.  S.  Johnston  as  first  pastor,  On 
June  1,  1890,  Messiah  congregation  established  Augsburg  Mission 
Sunday- school  in  the  north  part  of  the  city,  and  within  a  year 
pasf  dismissed  about  100  members  to  form  a  church  at  that 
point,  which,  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Rev.  Dixon  H.  Geiser,  is 
rapidly  developing  into  a  flourishing  congregation. 

Memorial  Church,  in  East  Harrisburg,  had  its  origin  in  a  like 
enterprise  started  by  Zion  Sunday-school  Association  in  187 1,  at 
15  th  &  Shoop  streets.  The  congregation  was  regularly  organized 
February  25,  1872,  under  Rev.  S.  Dasher,  who  is  faithfully  serv- 
ing it  to  this  day.  Sixty-two  members  of  Memorial  church  dis- 
missed for  that  purpose  organized  Christ  church,  on  South  13th 
street,  March  23,  1890.  Rev.  T.  L.  Crouse  is  its  pastor,  and  the 
congregation  is  going  forward  steadily  and  prosperously.  Christ 
church,  in  turn,  has  under  its  care  a  Mission  School  at  Brook- 
wood,  or  East  End,  which  it  is  hoped  will,  in  due  time,  develop 
into  the  Third  Lutheran  church  of  East  Harrisburg. 

In  the  early  part  of  1887,  and  while  without  a  pastor,  Zion 
church  dismissed  about  one  hundred  valuable  and  esteemed 
members  to  establj^h  Bethlehem  church,  corner  of  Green  and 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  131 

Cumberland  streets,  in  which  portion  of  the  city  she  had  for  some 
years  previously  maintained  a  Mission  Sunday-school.  Rev.  W. 
H.  Fishburn  became  the  pastor  of  the  congregation,  which,  within 
five  years,  has  become  numerically  stronger  than  the  mother 
church. 

Ever  watchful  of  her  opportunities  and  desiring  never  to  grow 
weary  in  well-doing,  the  congregation  again,  through  her  Teachers' 
Association,  on  November  n,  1888,  (largely  induced  to  the  step 
by  the  interest  and  liberality  of  Mr.  Jos.  F.  Young,  one  of  her 
faithful  members)  started  Trinity  Mission,  on  South  Ninth  street. 
The  Sunday-school  rapidly  grew  to  a  membership  of  three  hun- 
dred and  fifty  teachers  and  scholars,  and  the  present  pastor  of 
Zion  conducted  service  every  Thursday  night  throughout  the 
winter  with  encouraging  results.  Rev.  M.  L.  Deitzler  was  called 
to  take  charge  of  the  enterprise  in  connection  with  a  mission  at 
Steelton,  and  began  his  labors  July  1,  1890.  The  congregation  was 
formally  organized  May  17,  1891.  Though  yet  partially  depend- 
ent on  the  mother  church  and  the  Home  Mission  Board  for 
support,  Trinity  has  good  prospects  of  becoming  an  assured 
success. 

It  will  be  seen  from  these  brief  notes  that  our  Church  in  Harris- 
burg  has  been  keeping  pace  with  the  growth  of  the  city.  Where, 
in  1843,  we  had  one  church  (Zion),  and  one  pastor,  there  are 
now  nine  churches  (seven  English  and  two  German),  each  hav- 
ing a  pastor,  and  reporting  an  aggregate  membership  of  3,228 
communicants.  The  recent  development  has  been  very  remark- 
able. Within  five  years  we  have  averaged  one  new  congregation 
every  15  months;  and  four  handsome  and  costly  church  edifices 
and  two  spacious  chapels  (exclusive  of  the  chapel  extension  now 
being  added  to  Zion)  have  been  erected  among  us  within  four 
years. 

Almost  every  advance  movement  in  this  expansion  of  the  past 
half  century,  it  is  proper  to  note,  has  been  to  some  extent,  and 
sometimes  to  a  very  large  extent,  at  the  expense  of  the  mother 
church,  as  regards  both  members  and  money. 

ZION    AND   THE   SYNOD. 

In  her  earliest  history  Zion  church,  as  our  old  churches  gener- 


132  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

ally  in  this  region,  belonged  to  the  Pennsylvania  Ministerium. 
During  the  ministry  of  Rev.  C.  A.  Hay,  in  1857,  she  withdrew 
from  that  relation  and  became  a  constituent  part  of  the  Synod  of 
East  Pennsylvania.  The  records  of  this  latter  body  will  abun- 
dantly show  that,  notwithstanding  much,  and  at  times  expensive, 
local  mission  work  in  which  the  congregation  has  been  engaged, 
she  has  always  been  deeply  interested  in  and  faithfully  borne  her 
full  share  of  the  burden  of  the  Synod's  general  work. 

zion's  present. 

This  congregation  is  now  sharing,  to  some  extent,  in  the  ex- 
perience common  to  old  churches  in  growing  cities.  She  finds 
herself,  at  the  end  of  her  century  and  more  of  life,  somewhat 
disadvantageously  situated  with  reference  to  the  population 
generally  and  with  reference  to  many  of  her  own  membership. 
Her  stately  edifice  is  rapidly  being  surrounded  by  business 
houses,  instead  of  residences,  and  her  territory  has  been  so  cir- 
cumscribed by  the  younger  organizations  she  has  been  instru- 
mental in  establishing  in  every  direction  about  her,  that  rapid 
numerical  increase  of  the  congregation  can  scarcely  be  reasonably 
expected.  But  she  does  not  complain,  much  less  yield  to  dis- 
couragement. There  are  strength  and  vigor  in  the  old  church 
yet,  as  evidenced  by  the  statistical  reports  for  the  year.  She  is 
still  bringing  forth  fruit  in  old  age — is  engaged  even  now  in  en- 
larging her  facilities  for  work  among  the  children  and  youth  upon 
whom  she  has  a  claim  and,  humbly  looking  to  God  for  a  continu- 
ance of  the  favor  with  which  He  long  has  so  richly  blessed  her, 
still  sets  her  face  toward  the  future  in  earnest  hope. 


XXL      FISHKRVILLK     CHARGE,     DAUPHIN     CO.  —  ST. 

PETER'S,  ST.  PAUL'S,  STRAW'S,  MESSIAH,  ST.  JAMES', 

STAR  OF  BETHLEHEM. 

BY  REV.  J.  M.  STOVER. 

The  Fisherville  charge  is  located  in  Armstrong  and  Powell's 
valleys,  Dauphin  Co.,  Pa.  The  land  is  rolling,  and  in  good  culti- 
vation.    The  roads  are  comparatively  good.     The  people  speak 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  1 33 

the  Pennsylvania  German  dialect  in  most  families.  The  English 
is  also  spoken  and  is  gradually  taking  the  place  of  the  German. 

The  history  of  the  churches  upon  this  territory  begins  with  the 
early  settlement  of  these  valleys,  over  one  hundred  years  ago,  but 
the  "  Fisherville  Charge"  was  not  formally  organized  until  about 
the  year  1848.  It  then  included  Messiah,  Straw's  and  St.  Paul's 
churches,  and  was  served  by  the  pastors  of  the  Berrysburg  charge 
until  1855,  when  it  became  an  independent  pastorate.  It  has 
since  been  served  by  the  following  pastors  : 

Revs.  L.  K.  Secrist,  1855  to  1858;  John  H.  Davidson,  i860  to 
1862;  M.  Fernsler,  1863  to  1866;  J.  G.  Breininger,  1867  to 
1868;  E.  Daron,  1869  to  1872  ;  F.  Aurand,  1872  to  1874;  S.  S. 
Engle,  1874  to  1875  ;  Chas.  E.  Hay,  1876  to  1877  ;  J.  K. 
Bricker,  1877  to  1879;  A.  B.  Erhard,  1879  to  1883;  M.  V. 
Shatto,  1884  to  1885  ;  H.  A.  Letterman,  1886  to  1889;  J.  M. 
Stover,  1890  to  the  present. 

During  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Daron  the  charge  became  self- 
sustaining,  and  the  present  comfortable  parsonage  in  Fisherville 
was  built.  The  following  ministers  have  come  from  this  charge  : 
Revs.  N.  A.  Whitman,  I.  P.  Zimmerman  and  I.  H.  McGann. 

1.  St.  Peter's  (Fetterhoff's)  Church. 

The  record  of  this  congregation  gives  an  account  of  baptisms 
as  early  as  1788.  About  this  time  there  was  a  log  church  erected 
near  the  present  site  of  St.  Peter's.  In  this  rude  building  the  two 
congregations,  Lutheran  and  Reformed,  worshiped  for  at  least 
seventy  years.  We  are  told  by  tradition,  that  the  church  was 
used  for  public  worship  before  it  was  completed,  and  that  the 
young  men  were  required  to  climb  up  at  the  wall  and  occupy  the 
gallery  during  services.  The  reader  will  understand  that  this  was 
not  so  difficult  in  an  unplastered  log  house.  The  method  of  get- 
ting men  to  assist  in  building  this  church  was  somewhat  different 
from  what  it  is  in  our  day.  They  worked  in  the  forenoon  and 
had  shooting-match  in  the  afternoon. 

On  Sundays,  the  early  worshipers  of  this  church  came  with 
their  guns  on  their  shoulders  ;  not  so  much  on  account  of  the 
wily  savage,  as  on  account  of  the  wildbeasts  that  might  come 
across  their  pathway.     For  a  number  of  years  this  was  the  only 


134  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

church  in  Armstrong  Valley.  The  settlers  of  Powell's  Valley 
worshiped  here.  From  all  around  the  people  came,  on  horseback, 
or  on  the  big  wagon  ;  more  often  on  foot,  walking  many  miles.  It 
was  nothing  unusual  for  mothers  to  come  from  across  the  ridge 
with  their  babes  on  one  arm,  and  their  shoes  on  the  other.  They 
were  accustomed  to  go  barefooted,  but  put  on  their  shoes,  which 
they  carried  with  them,  before  entering  church. 

But  time  brings  about  changes.  Where  once  the  old  church 
stood,  there  are  now  tombstones  marking  the  last  resting-place  of 
some  of  her  members.  Not  far  from  this  sacred  spot  there  stands 
a  handsome  brick  edifice,  with  tall  steeple  towering  toward  the 
skies.  The  corner-stone  of  this  church  was  laid  September  19, 
1858.  It  was  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  God  sometime  during 
the  following  year.  Rev.  F.  Waltz  was  the  Lutheran  pastor,  and 
Rev.  N.  Bressler,  the  Reformed.  This  church,  after  undergoing 
extensive  repairs,  was  re-dedicated  on  December  13,  1 891,  under 
the  pastoral  care  of  Rev.  J.  M.  Stover,  on  the  Lutheran  side,  and 
Rev.  C.  W.  E.  Seigle,  on  the  Reformed  side.  The  cost  amounted 
to  $2,100. 

In  the  year  1846  the  two  congregations  together  purchased 
twelve  acres  of  land,  joining  the  old  church  lot.  This  land,  in 
connection  with  a  very  pleasant  home  on  the  church  lot,  is  cal- 
culated for  the  use  of  the  sexton,  and  can  not  be  used  for  a  par- 
sonage. 

The  venerable  Nicholas  Stroh,  the  oldest  Lutheran  minister  in 
the  United  States,  now  in  his  ninety-seventh  year,  was  baptized 
and  confirmed  in  St.  Peter's  church,  and  all  his  relatives  are  bur- 
ied in  its  graveyard.  He  was  a  brother  of  Mrs.  Rev.  Hemping. 
Among  the  many  who  are  buried  here  we  find  the  names  of  Rev. 
John  A.  Hemping  and  Rev.  N.  Bressler.  Rev.  Hemping  was 
born  and  educated  in  Germany.  He  became  the  Lutheran  pas- 
tor of  this  church  in  1811,  and  served  until  1847.  He  died  in 
1855,  in  the  seventy-seventh  year  of  his  age.  Rev.  N.  Bressler 
was  the  Reformed  pastor  for  many  years.     He  died  in  1877. 

St.  Peter's  church  formerly  belonged  to  the  Lykens  Valley 
charge,  and  to  the  old  Pennsylvania  Synod.  But  in  1869,  through 
the  influence  of  Rev.  E.  Daron,  it  came  over  to  the  General 
Synod,  and  was  made  part  of  the  Fisherville  charge.     The  prin- 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  1 35 

cipal  reason  for  making  this  change  was  the  inconvenience  of 
being  served  by  a  pastor  living  in  Lykens  Valley,  when  at  the 
same  time  there  was  a  Lutheran  pastor  living  in  Fisherville  and 
right  among  the  members. 

Up  to  this  time  the  congregation  had  been  served  by  the  fol- 
lowing pastors  :  Rev.  Enterlein,  1795  to  1807  ;  Rev.  J.  D.  Peter- 
son, 1807  to  181 1  ;  Rev.  John  A.  Hemping,  181 1  to  1847;  Rev. 
W.  G.  Laitzle,  1841  to  1843  ;  Rev.  Jer.  Schindel,  1843  to  1845  ; 
Rev.  C.  F.  Stoever,  1845  to  ^50 ;  Rev.  N.  Jeager,  1850  to  1852  ; 
Rev.  F.  Waltz,  1855  to  1869.  From  1842  to  1847  there  were  two 
parties  in  the  congregation,  each  having  its  own  pastor. 

This  congregation  used  to  pay  the  trifling  sum  of  twelve  dollars 
per  year  for  pastor's  salary.  It  now,  with  a  smaller  membership, 
pays  more  than  three  times  that  amount  per  quarter. 

2.  St.  Paul's  (Bowerman's). 

This  congregation,  located  in  Powell's  Valley,  was  built  in 
1824,  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Rev.  John  A.  Hemping  and 
Rev.  Gerhard.  The  church  was  built  by  Lutherans  and  Re- 
formed, and  the  two  congregations  still  worship  in  it. 

3.  Straw's. 

Straw's  church,  in  the  upper  end  of  Armstrong  Valley,  was 
erected  in  the  summer  of  1842.  It  was  built  by  Lutheran  mem- 
bers of  the  old  St.  John's  church,  who  were  unwilling  to  yield 
their  convictions  to  the  rulings  of  that  church  on  "the  new 
measures."  This  church  stands  in  sight  of  the  old  one.  It  was 
at  one  time  in  a  prosperous  condition,  but  since  a  new  church 
has  been  built  at  Jacksonville  this  congregation  has  been  weak- 
ened, and  of  late  years  has  not  been  served  by  regular  preaching. 

4.  Messiah,  Fisherville. 

For  several  years  previous  to  the  formation  of  the  "  Fisherville 
Charge,"  there  was  trouble  in  St.  Peter's  church  on  account  of 
revival  methods.  The  congregation  was  divided.  There  was 
bitter  feeling  on  both  sides,  and  the  result  was  that  a  new  consti- 
tution was  adopted,  which   forever    prohibited    the   use  of  the 


136  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

anxious-bench  in  that  church.  In  view  of  this  fact,  the  excluded 
party  resolved  to  build  in  Fisherville.  Accordingly  the  corner- 
stone of  a  new  church,  named  Messiah,  was  there  laid  on  Septem- 
ber 9,  1849.  It  was  built  as  a  Lutheran  and  Reformed  church, 
and  remains  so  to  this  day,  but  for  some  years  the  Reformed  have 
had  no  organization  here.  This  church  was  remodeled  in  1885, 
under  the  pastoral  care  of  Rev.  M.  V.  Shatto. 

5.  St.  James'. 

This  church  was  built  by  the  Lutherans  and  Reformed  in  1856. 
It  is  located  at  Carsonville,  in  the  upper  end  of  Powell's  Valley. 
The  first  man  buried  in  its  graveyard  was  Jacob  Bordner. 

6.  Star  of  Bethlehem. 

The  church  at  Jacksonville,  in  Armstrong  Valley,  known  as 
"The  Star  of  Bethlehem,"  was  built  in  1875.  ^e  lot  was  pre- 
sented by  Mr.  G.  W.  D.  Enders,  of  the  Reformed  church,  and 
Mr.  John  Helt,  of  the  Lutheran.  The  church,  which  cost  origin- 
ally about  $2,500,  is  finely  located,  in  good  condition,  and  has 
been  recently  re-painted.  The  first  officers  on  the  Lutheran  side 
were  :  Philip  Enders,  elder  :  Wm.  Fitting,  deacon  ;  Daniel  En- 
ders, trustee.  Those  on  the  Reformed  side  were  :  Joseph  Lyter, 
elder  ;  Daniel  Whitman,  deacon  ;  G.  W.  D.  Enders,  trustee.  The 
Reformed  have  for  some  years  had  no  organization  here. 


XXII.     BERRYSBURG  CHARGE,  DAUPHIN  CO.— SALEM, 

KILLINGER  ■  SALEM,  BERRYSBURG  ;  ST.  PAUL'S, 

MILLERSBURG. 


BY  REV.  B.   F.  KAUTZ. 


i.  Salem  (Wert's)  Church,  Killinger  P.  O. 
This  congregation,   known   formerly  as  "  Wert's  Church,"  is 
quite  old,  thought  to  be  the  oldest  congregation  in  Lykens  Val- 
ley.    It  is  located  in  Upper  Paxton  township,  two  and  one-half 


SKETCHES    OF   CONGREGATIONS.  1 37 

miles  northeast  of  Millersburg,  and  seven  and  one- half  miles 
west  of  Berrysburg.  There  are  no  old  records  preserved  and 
we  are  obliged  to  depend  for  dates  upon  the  memory  of  the 
older  members.  The  date  of  its  organization  we  have  been  un- 
able to  learn,  but  it  lies  back  in  the  last  century.  "  Grandfather 
Wert,"  whose  descendants  of  the  fourth  generation  are  still  living 
in  the  vicinity,  presented  sixty  acres  of  land  for  church  uses. 
The  greater  portion  of  this,  with  a  dwelling  house  and  barn 
erected  upon  it,  was  rented  for  many  years.  About  1870,  when 
the  project  of  building  a  new  church  was  being  agitated,  all  of 
this  ground  except  ten  acres  was  sold. 

The  present  large  two-story  brick  edifice,  costing  about  $12,000, 
was  erected  in  1874;  the  former  building,  which  stood  a  little 
distance  away,  was  erected  in  181 2,  whilst  a  few  of  the  oldest 
members  remember  still  the  site  of  the  first  building,  a  small  log 
church,  abandoned  in  1812,  which  stood  a  little  distance  from  the 
second  one.  The  list  of  pastors  serving  this  church  as  far  back 
as  we  could  gather  is  as  follows  : 

About  the  beginning  of  the  century  Rev.  Andrew  (  ? )  Schultz 
was  pastor  of  Salem  and  St.  John's  (near  Berrysburg)  and  formed 
one  class  of  catechumens  for  the  entire  territory,  meeting  them 
alternately  in  the  two  churches,  and  confirming  seventy- six 
in  one  year.  It  is  probable  that  Rev.  John  Paul  Ferdinand 
Kramer  served  them  about  1805,  and  Rev.  John  A.  Hemping 
from  181 1  until  1842.  Then  came  Revs.  W.  G.  Laitzle,  1842  to 
1843  ;  C.  F.  Stoever,  1846  to  1852  ;  Jacob  Martin,  1852  to  1853  ; 
D.  Sell,  1853  to  i860;  P.  P.  Lane,  1861  to  1862  ;  G.  P.  Weaver, 
1862  to  1863  ;  C.  A.  Fetzer,  1863  to  1866  ;  M.  Fernsler,  1866  to 
1878;  Geo.  C.  Henry,  1879  to  1882  ;  J.  Fishburn,  1883  to  1890; 
B.  F.  Kautz,  1890  to  the  present. 

2.  Salem  Church,  Berrysburg. 

This  congregation  sprang  from  St.  John's  Lutheran  church  (now 
of  the  General  Council),  standing  about  a  mile  from  the  town. 
There  are  no  old  records  preserved,  but  from  the  recollections  of 
the  older  members  we  gathered  the  data  here  given.  The  organ- 
ization must  have  been  effected  about  the  year  1841  or  1842  by 
Rev.   J.   P.   Schindel,   then   pastor  of  St.  John's.     The   present 


138  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

church  building,  a  one-story  stone  structure,  was  erected  some 
time  in  1844,  in  union  with  the  Re£ormed  congregation,  and  is 
still  a  union  church.  In  1875  it  was  enlarged  and  remodeled. 
Owing  to  the  nearness  of  St.  John's  it  has  always  been  a  weak 
congregation,  having  little  territory.  The  list  of  pastors  serving 
here  is  the  same  as  that  of  Salem  church  at  Killinger. 

3.  St.  Paul's  Church,  Millersburg. 

About  sixty  years  ago,  when  Millersburg  had  a  population  of 
about  three  hundred,  Father  Hemping,  pastor  then  of  Lykens 
Valley  charge,  preached  here  occasionally  in  the  German  language 
in  the  old  school-house  About  1837  Rev.  S.  D.  Finckel,  re- 
siding at  Middletown,  came  up  to  Millersburg  about  every  four 
weeks  and  preached.  In  1842  Rev.  VV.  G.  Laitzle,  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod,  who  had  been  called  to 
the  charge  in  Armstrong  Valley,  crossed  Berry's  Mountain  and 
preached  here  and  in  the  valley  church,  now  Salem  or  Killinger. 
In  1846  Rev.  C.  F.  Stoever,  of  the  Berrysburg  charge,  preached 
occasionally  here  during  a  pastorate  of  six  years.  From  1852  to 
1853  Rev.  Jacob -Martin,  of  the  same  charge,  preached  here 
occasionally.  Rev.  D.  Sell  entered  the  Berrysburg  charge  in 
November,  1853,  and  began  preaching  regularly  in  the  school- 
house.  After  laboring  for  a  year  he  organized  St.  Paul's  congre- 
gation in  the  latter  part  of  1854,  with  the  following  nine  members  : 
Simon  Wert,  Levi  Miller,  Christian  Walborn,  Daniel  Martz, 
David  Kramer,  Mary  Seal,  Catharine  Walborn,  Sarah  Hebel  and 
Hannah  Auchmuty.  Simon  Wert  was  chosen  as  elder,  which 
office  he  has  held  continuously,  and  still  holds  at  the  present 
time,  a  period  of  thirty-eight  years,  and  will  hold  it  to  his  death. 
He  is  truly  a  prince  in  Israel.  Through  Rev.  Sell's  labors  a  church 
building  was  erected  on  Centre  street,  which  is  now  occupied  by 
the  Reformed  church.  This  building  was  dedicated  on  Christ- 
mas Day,  1856.  Rev.  P.  Willard,  of  Danville,  preached  the  dedi- 
cation sermon.  The  first  communion  was  held  March  22,  1857, 
with  fifteen  communicants.  Upon  Mr.  Sell's  resignation  Rev. 
P.  P.  Lane  entered  the  charge,  serving  from  1861  to  1862.  Mr. 
Lane  was  followed  by  Rev.  G.  P.  Weaver,  who  served  1862-1863. 
Rev.  C.  A.  Fetzer  entered   the   Berrysburg  charge  April,  1863, 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGRE( NATIONS.  I  39 

remaining  here  three  years.  In  December,  1866,  Rev.  M. 
Fernsler  assumed  the  pastoral  care  of  this  charge. 

The  charge  had  consisted  up  to  this  time  of  Lykens,  Berrys- 
burg,  Salem  and  Millersburg.  In  187 1  Lykens  withdrew  from 
the  charge,  leaving  the  three  last-named  congregations  forming 
the  Berrysburg  charge.  The  same  year,  also,  some  difficulty  hav- 
ing arisen  between  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  congregations 
here  in  Millersburg,  the  question  of  separation  came  up,  and 
after  a  lengthy  discussion  the  Lutherans  sold  out  their  interest 
in  the  old  church  to  the  Reformed  for  fourteen  hundred  dollars 
(#1400). 

Ground  for  the  new  church  was  broken  in  March,  1873.  lne 
cool  judgment  of  all  was  that  not  more  than  $3000  at  the  best 
could  be  secured  for  a  church,  yet  this  weak  little  congregation 
built  and  paid  for  a  building  costing  them  about  $16,000.  The 
corner-stone  was  laid  July  13,  1873.  Besides  the  pastor  there 
were  present  D.  Sell,  D.  Kloss  and  U.  Graves.  In  June,  1874, 
the  basement  was  dedicated,  Rev.  Dr.  Reinmund  preaching  the 
sermon.  At  the  time  of  dedication  there  had  been  paid  in  cash 
$1000,  with  another  $1000  in  subscriptions. 

During  the  six  following  years  the  congregation  worshiped  in 
the  basement,  and  the  work  of  finishing  went  on  as  they  were  able 
to  raise  the  funds.  Every  year  current  expenses  were  met,  inter- 
est on  debt  of  $2700  paid,  as  well  as  pastor's  salary  and  small 
subscriptions  gathered  for  finishing  the  building. 

In  November,  1878,  Rev.  M.  Fernsler,  after  a  pastorate  of 
twelve  years,  resigned.  The  charge  remained  vacant  for  eight 
months,  when  Rev.  Geo.  C.  Henry,  of  the  Theological  Seminary, 
was  called,  and  entered  upon  the  charge  in  July,  1879. 

Early  in  1880,  at  a  congregational  meeting,  it  was  resolved  to 
finish  the  audience  room  ;  work  was  begun,  and  it  was  finally 
dedicated  to  the  service  of  God  November  14,  1880,  Rev.  F.  W. 
Conrad,  D.  D.,  preaching  the  dedication  sermon.  A  debt  of  up- 
wards of  $3000  was  left  to  the  congregation,  which  they  just  fin- 
ished paying  last  year,  and  are  now  free  of  debt.  In  December, 
1882,  Rev.  Geo.  C.  Henry  resigned,  and  was  followed  by  Rev.  J. 
Fishburn,  who  served  them  from  1 883-1 890.  In  July,  1890,  Rev. 
B.  F.  Kautz  assumed  charge. 


I40  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

XXIII.     ST.  MATTHEW'S  CHURCH,  PHILADELPHIA. 

BY    W.  M.  BAUM,  D.  D. 

The  first  Lutheran  preacher  in  Philadelphia  of  whom  we  have 
record  was  Rev.  Gerhard  Henkel,  between  the  years  1720  and 
1728.  In  1732  Rev.  John  Christian  Schultze  officiated.  In  1733 
we  meet  with  the  name  of  Rev.  John  Caspar  Stoever.  From  1 734 
to  1737  there  appears  to  have  been  a  vacancy.  In  1737  John 
Philip  Streiter,  though  unordained,  supplied  the  pulpit.  In  1742 
Count  Zinzendorff  presented  himself  as  a  Lutheran  pastor,  and 
received  a  call  May  30th.  He  appointed  John  C.  Pyrlaeus  as  his 
assistant,  who  was  dismissed  as  early  as  July  29th.  In  August, 
1742,  Valentine  Kraft,  who  had  been  dismissed  from  his  office  in 
Germany,  succeeded  in  detaching  a  portion  of  the  congregation. 
December  5,  1742,  Dr.  Henry  Melchior  Muhlenberg  began  his 
ministry.  Kraft  withdrew  to  Germantown  and  Zinzendorff  re- 
turned to  Europe.  During  1843  St.  Michael's  church  was  built. 
January  26,  1745,  Rev.  Peter  Brunnholtz  became  assistant  pastor, 
and  was  soon  left  in  sole  charge  of  the  city  congregation,  whilst 
Dr.  Muhlenberg  served  the  Trappe  and  New  Hanover  churches. 
July  26,  1753,  Rev.  J.  D.  M.  Heintzelman  became  assistant  pas- 
tor, holding  the  position  until  his  death,  February  9,  1756.  Mr. 
Brunnholtz,  long  in  feeble  health,  died  July  5,  1757.  In  Novem- 
ber, 1757,  Rev.  John  Frederick  Handschuh  became  pastor  and 
served  until  his  death,  October  9,  1764.  In  November,  1761, 
Dr.  Muhlenberg,  who  was  still  nominally  pastor,  was  recalled,  and 
remained  until  1779,  resigning  the  active  ministry  in  1774.  Octo- 
ber 28,  1765,  Rev.  Christopher  Emanuel  Schultze  became  assistant 
and  remained  until  December,  1770.  October  8,  1770,  Rev. 
Christopher  Kunze  was  elected  third  pastor.  In  December  Rev. 
Schultze  removed  to  Tulpehocken,  and  Dr.  Muhlenberg's  son, 
Henry  Ernst  Muhlenberg,  became  assistant.  In  1  773  he  was 
elected  third  pastor,  remaining  such  until  April  8,  1779.  April  4, 
1774,  Dr.  Miihlenberg  resigned,  having  served  16  years.  In  June, 
1779,  Dr.  Justus  Henry  Christian  Helmuth  was  elected  as  suc- 
cessor to  Dr.  Miihlenberg.  Dr.  Kunze  removed  to  New  York, 
1784,  and  was  succeeded   by  Dr.  John  Frederick  Schmidt.     The 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  141 

distinction  between  senior  and  junior  ministers  was  removed. 
In  1794,  December  26,  Zion's  church,  built  between  1766  and 
1769,  was  destroyed  by  fire,  but  was  immediately  rebuilt,  and  re- 
dedicated  November  27,  1796. 

As  early  as  1  796  demands  for  English  services  began,  which 
culminated,  in  1806,  in  the  organization  of  St.  John's  church. 
Again  in  1815  a  new  demand  for  English  services  arose,  which, 
after  a  long  struggle  and  bitter  contention,  resulted  in  the  organ- 
ization of  St.  Matthew's  church  in  1818. 

Dr.  Schmidt  died  May  12,  1812,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
P>ederick  David  Schaeffer,  who  served  until  1834.  Dr.  Helmuth 
retired  in  1822  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  C.  R.  Demme. 

St.  Matthew's,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

The  organization  of  St.  Matthew's,  Philadelphia,  was  consum- 
mated January  26,  18 18,  by  the  signing  of  the  constitution  on  the 
part  of  those  designing  to  enter  it.  Being  without  church  ac- 
commodations, the  academy  building  on  Fourth  street,  between 
Arch  and  Market,  was  secured  for  use  and  occupied  until  1830, 
when  the  edifice  on  New  street,  below  Fourth,  was  dedicated. 
The  congregation  had  no  regular  pastor  until  the  year  1827,  when 
Rev.  Charles  P.  Krauth,  Sr.,  began  his  ministry.  The  names  of 
Rev.  Christian  F.  Cruse  and  Rev.  David  Eyster,  with  others,  ap- 
pear as  temporary  supplies  during  this  period.  It  was  a  time  of 
difficulty  and  struggle. 

The  real  life  of  St.  Matthew's  began  with  the  securing  of  a  per- 
manent pastor.  Being  highly  favored  in  obtaining  the  services  of 
so  able  a  divine  and  acceptable  a  preacher  as  Dr.  Krauth,  they 
soon  emerged  from  their  unsatisfactory  surroundings  in  the  old 
academy,  and  for  nearly  fifty  years  worshiped  in  the  church  on  New 
street.  The  ministry  of  Dr.  Krauth  continued  from  1827  to  1833, 
when  he  was  called  to  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  and  placed  over  the  newly- 
chartered  Pennsylvania  College  as  its  President.  An  interval  of 
some  months  occurred  before  a  successor  was  secured,  during 
which  time  the  pulpit  was  occupied  by  the  Rev.  Simeon  W.  Har- 
key,  then  only  a  theological  student.  Rev.  Jacob  Medtart,  of 
Martinsburg,  Va.,  took  pastoral  charge  of  St.  Matthew's  in  No- 


142 


EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 


vember,  1834.  His  ministry  was  attended  with  no  little  congre- 
gational agitation  and  disturbance,  and  terminated  in  1838.  Rev. 
Stephen  A.  Mealy,  of  Savannah,  Ga.,  then  took  charge,  but  his 
views  and  methods  were  not  entirely  acceptable  to  many  of  the 
congregation,  so  that  a  mutual  separation  was  not  long  delayed. 


ST.    MATTHEW'S    EVANGELICAL    LUTHERAN    CHURCH,    PHILADELPHIA. 


Rev.  Theophilus  Stork,  of  Winchester,  Va.,  became  pastor  in 
October,  1841.  With  his  advent  there  came  a  new  era  of  pros- 
perity. Faithful  labor,  earnest  evangelic  methods,  able  and  edi- 
fying ministrations  in  public  and  in  private,  brought  gratifying  re- 
sults.    The  influence  and  the  revenues  of  the  church  were  largely 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  1 43 

increased.  Additions  were  numerous,  new  fields  of  operation 
were  needed  and  soon  found,  and  a  cluster  of  new  organizations 
was  the  result,  culminating  in  the  establishment  of  St.  Mark's  Lu- 
theran church  on  Spring  Garden  street,  above  Thirteenth,  of  which 
Rev.  Stork  became  pastor,  resigning  St.  Matthew's  in  1850.  Rev. 
Edwin  W.  Hutter  was  installed  pastor  of  St.  Matthew's  September, 
1850,  and  rendered  an  unbroken  service  of  twenty-three  years. 
He  was  admirably  qualified  for  the  field  to  which  he  was  called. 
Under  his  fostering  care  its  energies  were  quickened  into  vigor- 
ous life,  and  enterprise  after  enterprise  was  inaugurated.  If  Dr. 
Krauth  stands  forth  as  the  scholar  among  the  pastors  of  St.  Mat- 
thew's, and  Dr.  Stork  as  the  preacher,  to  Dr.  Hutter  unquestion- 
ably belongs  the  distinction  of  being  the  model  pastor.  He 
enjoyed  in  unusual  degree  the  esteem,  the  love  and  the  confidence 
of  the  congregation  and  the  community.  The  period  of  his  min- 
istry was  marked  by  internal  peace  and  external  activity.  He 
died  in  1873.  Rev.  William  M.  Baum,  D.  D.,  followed  Dr.  Hut- 
ter. He  was  installed  in  March,  1874,  and  continues  in  charge. 
This  ministry  is  marked  by  the  transfer,  in  1876,  of  the  congrega- 
tion from  New  street  to  Broad  and  Mt.  Vernon  streets.  A  new 
and  commodious  church  and  chapel  and  parsonage  have  been 
erected,  and  with  the  exception  of  a  small  balance  of  the  ground 
rent,  all  indebtedness  has  been  canceled. 

From  its  continuous  anniversaries  it  appears  that  the  Sabbath- 
school  bears  equal  date  with  the  congregation.  No  doubt,  for  a 
considerable  time,  this  was  the  only  bond  of  union,  the  only  cen- 
tre of  operations  for  the  new  enterprise.  For  a  period  of  forty- 
six  years  it  had  but  one  and  the  same  superintendent,  in  the  per- 
son of  Martin  Buehler,  Esq.,  whose  name  deserves  special  mention 
in  this  sketch.  At  his  death,  in  1880,  his  personal  friend  and 
business  partner,  Mr.  Charles  P.  Suesserott,  took  his  place  in  the 
school.  He  also  served  until  relieved  by  death  in  1887.  Since 
then  his  position  has  been  filled  by  William  J.  Miller,  Esq. 

St.  Matthew's  has  not  only  maintained  its  own  congregational 
life  unimpaired,  but  has  been  instrumental  in  the  establishment  of 
St.  Mark's,  St.  Luke's,  St.  Peter's,  Grace  and  Messiah  Lutheran 
churches.  It  is  now  fully  equipped  for  the  most  active  and  zeal- 
ous service  of  the  Master. 


144  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

XXIV.     EAST  PETERSBURG  CHARGE.— TRINITY,  LON- 
DONDERRY, IN    LEBANON   CO. ;  ZION'S,  EAST 
PETERSBURG,  AND  GRACE,  MANHEIM,  IN 
LANCASTER  COUNTY. 

BY  MR.   I..   M.   PERVEIL. 

i.  Trinity  Church,  Londonderry  Township,  Lebanon  County. 

Very  little  can  be  gathered  concerning  this  church.  The 
church  record  is  very  imperfect,  and  the  old  members  have  died 
away,  leaving  but  a  few  who  know  anything  about  the  congrega- 
tion. As  far  as  known,  this  church  was  erected  in  the  year  1818, 
but  the  corner-stone  of  the  present  building  was  laid  in  1842. 
The  Building  Committee  were  as  follows,  viz.  :  Jacob  Missimer, 
John  Baker,  Joseph  Porter  and  George  Baker.  Officers — Trustee, 
Jacob  Missimer ;  Elder,  George  Baker  ;  Deacons,  Philip  Keener 
and  Jacob  Yingst. 

The  congregation  was  served  by  Revs.  L.  Gerhardt,  Martin 
Sondhaus,  Wm.  G.  Laitzle,  1854-1859,  Mark  Harpel,  1859-1870, 
and  others.  For  a  long  time  the  congregation  was  without  a  pas- 
tor. On  September  22,  1872,  Rev.  J.  Peter  took  charge  of  the 
few  members  left,  and  has  been  serving  the  congregation  ever 
since  (except  from  September,  1890,  to  June,  1891)  with  ac- 
ceptance. 

He  has  labored  hard  and  faithfully,  and  the  congregation, 
though  not  strong  in  membership,  numbering  only  seventy,  is 
active.     May  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  continue  to  prosper  it. 

2.  Zion's  Church,  East  Petersburg,  Lancaster  County. 

The  East  Petersburg  congregation  was  organized  by  Rev. 
Reuben  S.  W.  Wagner,  and  was  named  Zion's.  The  corner-stone 
was  laid  in  the  year  1847.  In  1849  Rev.  Wagner  resigned,  and 
Rev.  J.  H.  Menges  became  the  pastor,  serving  until  February  n, 
1852. 

November  1,  1852,  Rev.  Adelbert  Charles  Roderico  Rueter 
took  charge  of  the  congregation.  Others  followed,  viz.  :  Revs. 
Jacob  Albert,  1853-1855  ;  J.  H.  Menges,  1855-1857  ;  Geo. 
Haines,    1857-1858;    Jno.    Early,    1862-1863 ;   Joseph     Focht, 


SKETCHES   OF   CONGREGATIONS.  1 45 

1 864-1 868  ;  Jacob  Kaempfer,  1 868-1 869,  and  S.  S.  Engle, 
1870-1874. 

August  9,  1874,  the  present  pastor,  Rev.  J.  Peter,  took  charge 
of  the  congregation,  and  has  served  them  up  to  the  present  time 
with  the  exception  of  a  brief  period,  from  September,  1890,  to 
June,  1 89 1.  The  congregation  has  steadily  increased,  and  is  now 
in  a  prosperous  condition. 

The  preaching  is  now  conducted  in  both  the  German  and 
the  English  languages,  the  latter  taking  the  lead. 

3.  Grace  Church,  Manheim,  Lancaster  County. 

This  congregation  is  at  this  time  but  a  year  and  a  half  old,  and 
hence  the  history  will  be  brief.  It  was  formed  by  about  forty-six 
persons  who  were  regularly  dismissed  from  Zion's  Lutheran  con- 
gregation of  Manheim,  and  was  organized  April  4,  189 1,  by  the 
Rev.  W.  H.  Dunbar,  of  Lebanon,  then  President  of  the  East 
Pennsylvania  Synod. 

The  following  officers  were  elected  :  Elders — S.  D.  Miller  and 
George  Gromlish  ;  Deacons — T.  S.  Burns,  S.  Will,  W.  Zink  and 
L.  M.  Perveil.     The  last  named  was  chosen  as  Secretary. 

Rev.  J.  Peter,  of  Bellwood,  Pa.,  was  authorized  by  the  Presi- 
dent of  Synod  to  install  the  officers,  which  was  done  April  12, 
1891. 

A  congregational  meeting  was  called  April  26,  1891,  at  which 
Rev.  D.  S.  Kurtz,  of  Felton,  York  Co.,  presided.  A  unanimous 
call  was  then  extended  to  Rev.  J.  Peter,  which  was  accepted,  and 
on  the  1  st  of  June,  1891,  he  entered  upon  his  duties. 

The  members  had  left  the  old  church  without  a  penny ;  but, 
through  the  earnest  work  and  self-sacrificing  spirit  of  the  pastor, 
the  congregation  soon  moved  forward.  A  small  chapel,  owned  by 
the  M.  E.  church,  was  rented  for  the  time  being.  Soon  an  effort 
was  made  to  purchase  a  lot  suitable  for  a  church,  which  work  was 
accomplished  in  a  short  time.  The  corner-stone  of  the  new 
building  was  laid  July  31,  1892.  The  pastor  was  assisted  by  the 
Rev.  G.  J.  Martz,  of  Lebanon.  The  church  at  this  writing  is 
almost  ready  for  dedication,  and  will  compare  with  any  church  in 
Manheim  or  with  the  majority  in  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod. 
The  prospect  of  this  congregation  is  bright. 


146  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNCH. 

XXV.    LITITZ  CHARGE,  LANCASTER  CO.— KISSEL  HILL, 
NEFFSVILLE,  LITITZ. 

BY  REV.  I.  W.  BOBST. 

The  Lititz  charge  is  composed  of  three  congregations,  Kissel 
Hill  being  the  oldest,  and  the  mother  of  two  vigorous  daughters, 
St.  Paul's,  of  Lititz,  and  the  Neffsville  congregation.  As  is  so 
often  the  case,  the  mother  has  made  large  sacrifices,  to  her  own 
detriment,  for  the  enrichment  of  her  offspring.  She  has  greatly 
decreased  in  her  membership,  whilst  they  are  steadily  increasing. 

1.  Salem  Church,  Kissel  Hill. 

The  Kissel  Hill  congregation  was  organized  in  1823,  and  united 
with  the  Reformed  element  of  the  community  in  founding  Salem 
union  church.  A  lot  was  purchased  of  John  Frank  at  a  cost  of 
$60.00,  the  corner-stone  laid  June  1,  1823,  and  a  substantial  brick 
church  dedicated  May  24, 1 824.  Rev.  W.  Baetes  and  Dr.  Andrews 
(Lutheran)  and  Revs.  Leinbach  and  D.  Hertz  (Reformed)  were 
present  on  that  occasion.  In  the  style  of  the  times  it  had  a  wine- 
glass pulpit,  painfully  suggestive  to  the  ministry  in  this  age  of  re- 
form, and  panel  casing  around  the  pews,  symbolical  of  the  rigid 
orthodoxy  of  its  devotees.  The  cost  of  the  edifice  was  $2,000. 
In  1848  a  steeple  with  a  bell  was  added,  at  a  cost  of  $217.60. 
In  1872  the  spirit  of  the  age  removed  the  grotesque  pulpit  and 
panels,  and  in  1887  the  church  was  again  repaired  and  carpeted. 

The  following  are  the  pastorates  :  Rev.  William  Baetes,  1824  to 
1839;  Rev.  Chas.  P.  Miller,  1839  to  1841  ;  Rev.  Christopher  G. 
Frederick,  1842  to  1846;  Rev.  Chas.  A.  Barnitz,  1846  to  1852; 
Rev.  Chas.  A.  Barnitz,  1853  to  1854;  Rev.  Chas.  Rees,  1855  to 
1856;  Rev.  D.  P.  Rosenmiller,  1857  to  1862  ;  Rev.  S.  R.  Boyer, 
1862  to  1864  ;  Rev.  J.  R.  Focht,  1864  to  1868.  Up  to  1864  the 
preaching  was  nearly  all  in  German. 

From  1864  to  1871  the  congregation  vacillated  between  the 
General  Council  and  the  General  Synod,  a  majority  being  in 
favor  of  the  General  Council.  Rev.  S.  S.  Engle  became  pastor 
about  the  year  1871,  and  preached  for  several  years,  gathering  in 
quite  a  number  of  members.  He  was  afterwards  deposed  from 
the  ministry.     Rev.  J.  Peter  then  took   charge,  and  served   the 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  147 

people  faithfully  till  1886.  The  pastorate  of  Rev.  VV.  H.  Lewars 
began  October  15,  1886,  and  ended  April  15,  1889.  The  present 
pastor,  Rev.  I.  Walton  Bobst,  assumed  charge  June  1,  1889. 
The  congregation  in  its  palmiest  days  had  about  two  hundred 
members.  It  now  numbers  about  one  hundred.  The  preaching 
is  partly  in  German  and  partly  in  English. 

2.  St.  Peter's  Church,  Neffsville. 

In  the  spring  of  1880  about  thirty  members  of  the  Kissel  Hill 
church  amicably  withdrew  and  formed  the  congregation  of  Neffs- 
ville. Through  the  influence  of  the  sainted  John  Wechter, 
assisted  by  a  noble  little  band  of  workers,  the  Neffsville  church 
was  erected.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  during  the  summer  of 
1880,  and  the  church  dedicated  June  26,  1881.  Rev.  J.  Peter,  the 
pastor,  and  Rev.  R.  W.  Hufford,  D.  D.,  presided  on  this  occasion. 
This  congregation,  though  so  recently  established,  has  no  reliable 
statistics.  After  Rev.  J.  Peter  resigned,  it  was  connected  with  the 
Millersville  charge,  and  served  as  follows  :  J.V.  Eckert,  1881-1882  ; 
F.  Aurand,  1883  ;  A.  M.  Whetstone,  1 884-1 885  ;  J.  W.  Goodlin, 
1887-1888.  In  1888  the  congregation  severed  its  relations  with 
the  Millersville  charge  and  connected  itself  with  the  Lititz  charge. 
It  has  since  been  served  by  Revs.  W.  H.  Lewars  and  I.  W.  Bobst, 
the  present  pastor,  who  took  charge  June  1.  1889.  During  the 
present  pastorate  the  congregation  has  more  than  doubled,  num- 
bering now  154.  This  is  largely  due  to  the  labors  of  its  excellent 
Sunday-school  Superintendent,  Dr.  E.  H.  Witmer,  who  has  for 
twelve  years  assiduously  inculcated  Bible  truths  among  the  young 
of  this  community. 

3.  St.  Paul's  Church,  Lititz. 

August  4,  1885,  a  meeting  was  called  for  the  purpose  of  dis- 
cussing the  feasibility  of  building  a  Lutheran  church  in  Lititz. 
Rev.  Peter,  of  the  Manheim  charge,  occupied  the  chair.  In  pur- 
suance of  the  action  of  this  meeting,  fifty-two  members  of  the 
Kissel  Hill  church  formed  themselves  into  an  independent  con- 
gregation, and  founded  St.  Paul's  Lutheran  church,  of  Lititz.  The 
corner-stone  was  laid  with  appropriate  ceremonies  September  13, 
1885,  by  Rev.  Peter,  assisted  by  Revs.  Sylvanus  Stall  and  John  V. 


148  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

Eckert.  The  dedication  took  place  February  14,  1886.  Rev.  Eli 
Huber,  D.  D.,  preached  the  sermon  and  Rev.  T.  C.  Billheimer,  D.  D., 
solicited  subscriptions,  securing  $2,000,  which  covered  all  the 
indebtedness.  The  edifice  cost  upward  of  $0,000.  The  congre- 
gation demonstrated  its  enterprise  by  immediately  erecting  a 
commodious  parsonage,  at  an  expense  of  $2,200.  Six  hundred 
dollars  of  the  subscriptions  taken  on  dedication-day  failed  to 
materialize,  which,  together  with  the  cost  of  the  parsonage,  left 
the  congregation  $2,800  in  debt.  This  has  been  reduced  during 
the  present  pastorate  to  $1,500.  Shortly  after  the  completion  of 
the  church  Rev.  J.  Peter  resigned.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  W. 
H.  Lewars,  who  entered  upon  his  labors  October  15,  1886,  con- 
tinuing faithfully  three  years  and  a  half,  when  he  was  succeeded 
by  the  present  pastor,  Rev.  I.  Walton  Bobst,  who  assumed  charge 
June  1,  1889.  The  congregation  now  has  one  hundred  and  thirty- 
five  members  and  is  in  excellent  condition.  The  preaching  is 
mainly  in  English,  with  a  German  sermon  once  a  month. 


XXVI.     LIONVILLE  CHARGE,  CHESTER  CO.— ST.  MAT- 
THEW'S AND  ST.  PAUL'S. 

BY  REV.  M.  S.  CRESSMAN. 

Chester  County,  Pa.,  was  originally  settled  by  two  distinct 
classes  of  people — the  English  Quakers  and  the  Germans.  The 
former  located  in  the  southern  part  of  the  county,  and  the  latter 
in  the  northern.  The  main  line  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad 
now  divides  this  district  into  two  nearly  equal  parts,  and,  in  a 
general  way,  may  be  regarded  as  the  dividing  line  between  the 
two  distinctive  elements  of  the  county.  In  the  section  to  the  south 
the  Quaker  element  still  largely  prevails,  whilst  in  that  to  the 
north  the  descendants  of  the  Germans  still  hold  sway.  It  is 
accordingly  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county  that  all  our  Luth- 
eran churches  are  to  be  found,  with  the  single  exception  of 
Trinity  church,  recently  established  at  Coatesville,  and  this  is  on 
the  border  line. 

Henry  Melchior  Miihlenberg  organized  the  first  Lutheran  con- 
gregation in  the   county,  to  which  the  name    Zion  was  given. 


SKETCHES   OF   CONGREGATIONS.  1 49 

The  early  records  being  lost,  the  precise  year  of  its  organization 
is  not  known.  It  must,  however,  have  been  early  in  the  min- 
istry of  this  patriarch  of  American  Lutheranism,  as  the  erection 
of  a  new  building  was  begun  in  the  year  1 77 1 .  The  first  edifice 
was  made  of  logs,  and  was  located  in  what  was  then  known  as 
Vincent  Township,  about  five  miles  west  of  the  Trappe.  The 
site  chosen  was  a  commanding  one,  overlooking  a  large  part  of 
the  counties  of  Berks  and  Montgomery. 

When  the  Zion  congregation  was  about  to  erect  a  new  building, 
there  arose  a  division  of  opinion  as  to  the  location,  many  desir- 
ing to  remove  some  three  miles  further  south.  The  result  of  this 
division  was,  that  the  Lutherans  residing  in  Pikeland  Township 
withdrew,  and  organized  themselves  into  a  separate  congregation, 
erecting  a  log  church  in  the  year  1772,  some  ten  miles  southwest 
of  Zion.  This  organization  is  known  as  St.  Peter's.  It  was  here 
that  the  first  annual  meeting  of  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod  was 
held,  October  15,  1842. 

The  two  churches  now  composing  the  Lionville  pastorate,  St. 
Matthew's  and  St.  Paul's,  are  the  direct  outgrowth  of  Zion's  and 
St.  Peter's  congregations.  The  older  of  these,  St.  Matthew's,  is 
now  located  in  Upper  Uwchlan  township.  It  was  organized  in 
the  year  1833,  by  Rev.  Jacob  Wampole,  then  pastor  of  Zion's 
and  St.  Peter's  churches.  It  was  the  third  Lutheran  organization 
in  Chester  county,  and  the  first  to  wholly  use  the  English  lan- 
guage. The  original  membership,  sixty-six  in  number,  came  from 
the  other  two  Lutheran  churches  ;  principally,  however,  from  St. 
Peter's,  in  West  Pikeland.  About  this  time  there  was  a  general 
religious  awakening  in  this  vicinity.  The  Baptists  and  Episco- 
palians had  begun  the  erection  of  places  of  worship.  The  Luth- 
eran people  felt  the  need  of  greater  religious  privileges  than  they 
were  enjoying.  Accordingly,  a  meeting  was  held  in  West  Vincent 
township,  January  1,  1833,  to  consider  the  propriety  of  erecting 
a  church  building,  to  be  owned  jointly  by  the  Lutherans  and  the 
German  Reformed.  As  the  result  of  earnest  and  prayerful  delib- 
eration a  piece  of  ground  was  purchased  on  the  Conestoga  pike 
for  $50.00, upon  which  was  erected  a  two-story  stone  church,  35x45 
feet  in  size,  with  galleries  on  three  sides,  at  a  cost  of  $1,700.00.  The 
corner-stone  was  laid  May  27,  1833,  Dr.  C.  P.  Krauth,  sr.,  preach- 


150  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

ing  the  sermon  on  the  part  of  the  Lutherans.  On  December  10, 
of  the  same  year,  the  building  was  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  the 
Triune  God.  Rev.  P.  F.  Mayer,  D.  D.,  of  Philadelphia,  preached 
the  sermon.  The  feast  of  dedication  lasted  two  days,  with  three 
services  daily,  at  each  of  which  a  sermon  was  preached.  St. 
Matthew's  became  a  part  of  Zion's  charge,  the  pastor  residing 
near  the  latter  church,  some  ten  miles  distant. 

Rev.  Wampole  continued  as  pastor  till  May,  1836,  when  he  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  Frederick  Ruthrauff.  During  the  ministry  of 
the  latter  Zion's  church  withdrew,  and  there  was  also  a  division  in 
St.  Peter's,  owing  to  the  introduction  of  what  were  known  as  "  new 
measures  "  in  church  work.  The  members  who  withdrew  from 
St.  Peter's,  some  twelve  or  thirteen  in  number,  erected  for  them- 
selves a  church  building  in  close  proximity  to  the  mother  church, 
and  in  connection  with  Zion's  formed  a  new  charge.  These 
churches  are  now  in  connection  with  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  are  served  by  separate  pastors. 

Previous  to  this  division,  under  the  leadership  of  Rev.  Ruth- 
rauff, steps  were  taken  towards  organizing  a  Lutheran  congrega- 
tion in  Uwchlan  township,  near  Lionville.  February  9,  1838,  a 
meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Peter  Acker,  where  the  subject 
was  discussed.  At  this  meeting  it  was  resolved  "  that  in  reliance 
on  the  help  and  favor  of  the  Lord  a  house  of  worship  be  erected, 
to  be  owned  jointly  by  the  Lutherans  and  the  Reformed."  The 
name  afterwards  chosen  was  "  St.  Paul's  Church  in  Uwchlan  town- 
ship." The  location  was  on  a  piece  of  ground  near  the  "  White 
School  House,"  donated  for  the  purpose  by  Peter  Stiteler.  The 
building  erected  was  of  stone,  one  story  high,  38x45  feet  in  di- 
mensions,and  cost  $1,483.00.  June  5,  1838,  the  corner  stone  was 
laid,  Rev.  Jonathan  Ruthrauff,  of  Lebanon,  preaching  the  sermon. 
On  November  6  and  7  of  the  same  year,  the  building  was  dedi- 
cated. Rev.  C.  W.  Schaeffer,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  then  pastor  of  St. 
Peter's  church  at  Barren  Hill,  preached  the  dedicatory  sermon. 
The  pastor  was  assisted  in  these  services  by  Revs.  John  P.  Hecht 
and  H.  S.  Miller.  The  formal  organization  did  not  take  place 
till  November  n,  1838,  the  first  Lord's  Day  following  the  dedi- 
cation. Sixteen  persons  composed  the  original  membership, 
two  of  whom  are  still   actively  identified  with  the  congregation. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  151 

They  came  from  St.  Peter's  and  St.  Matthew's  churches,  mainly 
from  the  former.  St.  Paul's  became  a  part  of  Zion's  charge, 
which  now  consisted  of  four  churches,  St.  Peter's,  St.  Matthew's, 
St.  Paul's  and  Zion's,  the  pastor  residing  in  the  parsonage  near 
the  latter  church  until  the  separation  in  1840. 

At  the  time  of  the  division.  Rev.  Ruthrauff  became  pastor  of 
the  three  churches  known  as  the  Pikeland  Charge,  St.  Peter's,  St. 
Matthew's,  and  St.  Paul's,  the  pastoral  residence  being  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  former,  and  about  five  miles  distant  from  the  other 
two  points.  He  continued  to  serve  this  field  till  June  13,  1843. 
He  was  succeeded,  December  1 7,  by  Rev.  John  McCron,  D.  D., 
who  continued  as  pastor  till  July,  1847,  when  he  and  Rev.  D. 
Miller  exchanged  pastorates.  The  latter  remained  but  two  years, 
and  was  followed  by  Rev.  Peter  Raby,  September  27,  1849. 

Brother  Raby  served  this  charge  faithfully  for  nine  years,  and 
was  held  in  high  esteem  by  his  people.  Under  his  ministra- 
tions substantial  progress  was  made.  It  was  through  his  instru- 
mentality that  a  dissolution  was  effected  in  St.  Paul's  church 
between  the  Lutherans  and  Reformed,  in  the  year  1852.  The 
former  disposed  of  their  interest  in  the  property  to  the  latter  for 
$700.00,  and  bought  a  small  tract  of  land  in  the  village  of  Lion- 
ville,  about  one  mile  distant.  Here  a  commodious  two-story 
stone  building  was  erected,  at  a  cost  of  about  $4,000.00.  The 
membership  at  this  time  was  forty-two.  July  31,  1852,  the 
corner-stone  was  laid,  and  on  January  1,  1853,  the  building  was 
dedicated.  The  dedicatory  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  E.  W. 
Hutter,  of  Philadelphia. 

In  the  year  1858  Rev.  Raby  resigned,  and  on  June  20  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  Samuel  Aughey.  Soon  after  Rev.  Aughey 
became  pastor,  a  division  took  place  in  the  charge,  St.  Matthew's 
and  St.  Paul's  withdrawing,  and  forming  a  separate  pastorate 
This  was  in  the  year  1859.  Rev.  Aughey  became  pastor  of  the 
Lionville  charge,  St.  Peter's  calling  Rev.  Cornelius  Reimen- 
snyder  as  their  pastor.  In  the  year  i860  a  parsonage  was 
purchased  by  St.  Paul's  congregation,  adjoining  the  church,  for 
the  sum  of  $1,500.00,  where  the  pastor  has  continued  to  reside 
ever  since. 

In  the  year  1861  Rev.  Aughey  resigned,  and  on  November  ro, 


152  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

Rev.  Christian  D.  Ulery  became  his  successor.  The  labors  of  this 
young  brother  extended  over  but  a  few  months.  Shortly  after 
becoming  pastor,  he  enlisted  as  member  of  a  company  of  volun- 
teers being  formed  in  the  neighborhood,  and  marched  to  the 
front  in  defense  of  a  threatened  Union.  Being  naturally  of  a 
frail  constitution,  he  soon  contracted  a  cold  in  consequence  of 
exposure,  which  rapidly  developed  into  pneumonia,  from  which 
disease  he  died,  November  7,  1862,  in  the  31st  year  of  his  age. 
His  body  lies  in  the  cemetery  adjoining  St.  Paul's  church. 

January  4,  1863,  Rev.  S.  Sentman  became  the  spiritual  guide 
of  this  flock.  For  seven  and  one-half  years  he  ministered  in  holy 
things  to  this  people.  His  memory  is  still  cherished  by  those  to 
whom  he  broke  the  bread  of  life.  He  resigned,  July  1,  1870,  to 
become  principal  of  the  Preparatory  Department  of  Pennsylvania 
College,  Gettysburg. 

The  charge  was  now  vacant  for  almost  a  year,  when  on  May  1, 
187 1,  Rev  J.  R.  Shoffner  began  his  labors  as  pastor.  He  con- 
tinued in  this  relationship  till  the  year  1876.  The  last  time  this 
brother  ever  preached  the  word  was  to  this  people,  May  24, 
1 89 1,  having  returned  on  a  brief  visit.  This  was  just  nineteen 
days  before  his  death,  which  took  place  at  Wilkesbarre,  Pa.,  June 
12,  1892. 

After  a  vacancy  of  some  months  a  pastor  was  secured  in  the 
person  of  Rev.  H.  S.  Cook,  March  11,  1877.  The  labors  of  this 
brother  were  abundantly  blessed.  The  commodious  new  St. 
Matthew's  church  is  his  enduring  monument.  In  1878  Rev. 
Cook  succeeded  in  effecting  an  amicable  dissolution  of  the  union 
existing  in  this  church.  The  Lutherans  sold  their  interest  to  the 
Reformed  for  $1,000.00,  and  at  once  purchased  a  plot  of  ground 
containing  eighteen  and  one-half  acres  on  a  commanding  eleva- 
tion, about  five  hundred  yards  north,  in  the  adjoining  township  of 
Upper  Uwchlan,  the  original  site  being  in  West  Vincent.  Here 
the  congregation  proceeded  to  erect  one  of  the  finest  church 
buildings  in  the  county.  It  is  of  Gothic  architecture,  42x95  feet 
in  size,  and  has  a  seating  capacity  of  about  six  hundred.  The 
cost  of  the  property  was  about  $13,000.00.  The  corner-stone 
was  laid  in  1878,  the  dedication  taking  place  on  May  1  of  the 
following  year.    On  the  latter  occasion,  Rev.  John  McCron,  D.  D., 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  1 53 

a  former  pastor,  preached  with  more  than  his  usual  eloquence. 
At  these  services  there  were  present  twenty  ministers,  and 
though  held  on  a  week  day  the  building  was  crowded  to  its  ut- 
most capacity,  and  the  entire  obligations  liquidated,  over  $4,000.00 
being  subscribed. 

In  1880  St.  Paul's  church  was  remodeled  at  a  cost  of  $2,300.00. 
The  re-dedication  took  place  January  2,  1881,  Rev.  F.  W.  Conrad, 
D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  officiating.  The  Lionville  pastorate  has  now  two 
comfortable  and  convenient  churches,  the  credit  of  which  in  a 
large  measure  is  due  to  Rev.  H.  S.  Cook.  Under  his  ministry 
the  congregations  increased  largely  in  membership.  He  was  the 
first  to  introduce  a  systematic  way  of  gathering  the  benevolent 
offerings  of  the  people.  The  monthly  envelope  system  he  in- 
augurated continues  in  use  to  the  present  time,  and  has  been  the 
means  Of  making  this  charge  one  of  the  most  liberal  in  our 
synod.  October  8,  1882,  Rev.  Cook,  after  a  most  successful 
pastorate  of  five  years  and  seven  months,  took  leave  of  this  peo- 
ple, having  accepted  a  call  to  Harrisburg. 

December  1,  1882,  Rev.  W.  F.  Rentz  took  charge  of  the 
work  in  this  parish,  in  which  he  continued  till  April  1,  1888, 
being  then  sent  by  the  Board  of  Home  Missions  as  missionary 
to  Atchison,  Kansas.  Through  his  labors  the  people  were  much 
strengthened  in  all  departments  of  church  life  and  work.  Here 
he  has  left  many  seals  to  his  ministry.  It  was  during  his  pastor- 
ate that  the  Sunday-school  room  of  St.  Paul's  church  was  re- 
modeled, at  a  cost  of  about  $700.00. 

April  8,  1888,  the  present  pastor — Rev.  M.  S.  Cressman — be- 
gan his  labors.  Under  his  direction  about  $700.00  have  been 
expended  by  the  charge,  in  the  improvement  of  the  church 
properties.  The  pastorate  is  entirely  free  of  debt,  and  meets  all 
its  obligations  with  promptness.  It  is  composed  of  an  intelligent 
and  church-loving  people. 

Of  the  twelve  pastors  who  have  served  this  field,  eight  have 
passed  to  their  reward,  Revs.  Aughey,  Cook,  Rentz  and  Cress- 
man  alone  remaining  in  the  church  militant.  Of  the  original 
members,  but  three  are  still  among  us,  Thomas  Rooke  of  St. 
Matthew's  and  Mrs.  Catherine  Oberholtzer  and  her  sister,  Miss 
Sarah  Acker,  of  St.  Paul's.     At  different  times  the  churches  have 


154  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

received  legacies  amounting  in  all  to  about  $4,000.00.  The  esti- 
mated value  of  the  property  is  $20,000.00.  The  present  member- 
ship numbers  295  persons.  In  the  Sunday-schools  there  are 
enrolled  238  scholars,  and  41  teachers  and  officers. 


XXVII.  ST.  JOHN'S  LUTHERAN  AND  REFORMED 
CHURCH,  FOGELSVILLE,  LEHIGH  COUNTY. 

BY  REV.  J.  A.  SINGMASTER. 

The  above  church  was  organized  by  members  of  the  Tresler- 
town,  Jordan  and  Ziegel  churches.  Jacob  Moyer  and  Judge 
John  Fogel  donated  each  three-fourths  of  an  acre  of  land  for  a 
building  site  and  burial  place.     At  a  meeting  held  October  4, 

1834,  it  was  decided  to  build  a  church.  John  Lichtenwallner  and 
Daniel  Schlauch,  Lutheran,  and  Henry  Mohr  and  Jacob  Moyer, 
Reformed,  were  elected  a  building  committee,  and  Solomon  Fogel, 
treasurer.  Benjamin  Fogel,  John  Keck,  Peter  Musselman  and 
Jonathan  Mohr  were  appointed  to  solicit  subscriptions. 

The  corner-stone  was  laid  May  9,  1835,  on  which  occasion 
Rev.  Isaac  Roeller  and  Rev.  Joseph  Dubs  officiated.  On  the  31st 
of  October,  1835,  the  church  was  dedicated,  Revs.  Roeller,  Joshua 
and  Gottlieb  [eager  and  Charles  Y.  Herman  participating.  The 
church  is  a  substantial  stone  structure,  with  gallery  on  three 
sides,  and  seats  about  four  hundred. 

The  first  pastor,  Rev.  Isaac  Roeller,  was  elected  November  15, 

1835.  The  first  council  consisted  of  Adam  Litzenberger,  elder, 
and  Samuel  Fetherolf,  John  Lichtenwallner,  Jr.,  Henry  Stettler 
and  Daniel  Kuhns,  deacons. 

Rev.  Roeller  resigned  January  13,  1 851,  and  was  succeeded 
by  Rev.  Jeremiah  Schindel,  who  was  followed  in  1859  by  Rev. 
E.  H.  M.  Sell.  In  i86r  Rev.  O.  Leopold  became  pastor.  In 
1874  the  pastor  and  a  part  of  the  congregation  withdrew  and 
organized  St.  John's  Evangelical  Lutheran  church 

On  account  of  the  establishment  of  the  latter  church,  the  old 
congregation  was  no  longer  recognized  by  the  Pennsylvania 
Synod,  and  hence  was  left  without  pastoral  care.     Rev.  Wm.  G. 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  I  55 

Mennig,  of  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod,  became  pastor  in  1877. 
He  was  assisted  by  Rev.  C.  E.  Hay,  who  supplied  the  pulpit  after 
Mr.  Mennig  became  disabled  until  the  church  became  a  part  of 
the  Macungie  charge,  in  1884,  with  Rev.  J.  A.  Singmaster  as 
pastor.  In  July,  1886,  the  latter  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  G.  W. 
Fritsch,  who  continued  pastor  until  March,  1891.  Since  then 
the  pulpit  has  been  supplied  by  Rev.  J.  A.  Singmaster,  pastor  of 
St.  Paul's,  Allentown. 

It  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  since  the  organization  of  the  church 
in  1835,  tne  Reformed  part  of  the  congregation  has  had  but  two 
pastors,  father  and  son,  Revs.  C.  G.  and  A.  J.  Herman,  the 
former  serving  twenty- seven  and  the  latter  thirty-one  years. 

In  1878  the  church  was  remodeled.  Rev.  J.  M.  Deitzler  offici- 
ated at  the  re-consecration.  November  29,  1885,  was  the 
occasion  of  the  semi-centennial  festival  of  the  church,  during 
which,  among  others,  Rev.  Dr.  F.  W.  Conrad  preached. 

The  services  have  always  been  held  every  two  weeks,  the 
Lutherans  and  Reformed  alternating.  The  German  language 
has  been  used  from  the  beginning.  The  present  Lutheran 
membership  is  about  sixty,  and  there  are  nearly  one  hundred  and 
fifty  persons  connected  with  the  Union  Sunday-school,  of  which 
Mr.  A.  W.  Held  has  been  the  superintendent  for  many  years. 
Rev.  Cyrus  E.  Held,  pastor  of  the  Hamilton  charge,  entered  the 
ministry  from  this  church. 


XXVIII.  TRINITY  CHURCH,  GERMANTOWN. 

BY  REV.  L.  E.  ALBERT,  D.  D. 

The  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  of  St.  Michael's,  German- 
town,  dates  its  origin  in  the  early  part  of  the  last  century.  It 
existed  as  a  distinct  organization,  and  was  provided  with  its  own 
place  of  worship  previously  to  the  year  1740.  At  that  time 
there  were  about  four  hundred  dwelling-houses  in  Germantown. 
The  principal  part  of  the  population  was  German,  but  as  the 
congregation  was  not  favored  with  the  ministry  of  a  regular 
pastor,  the  number  of  members  was  small  and  the  circumstances 
of  the  church  not  very  flourishing.     In  the  year   1742  the  Rev. 


156  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

Henry  Melchior  Muhlenberg  arrived  in  Philadelphia  and  began 
his  labors  as  pastor  of  the  Lutheran  church  in  that  city.  Soon 
after  his  arrival,  the  church  in  Germantown  attracted  his  at- 
tention, and  his  interest  in  it  was  so  earnest,  that  he  took  it  at 
once  under  his  pastoral  care.  Finding  that  his  duties  pressed 
too  heavily  upon  him,  he  made  arrangements  to  relieve  himself 
of  at  least  a  portion  of  his  pastoral  care.  Accordingly  his  assist- 
ant, Rev.  Peter  Brunnholz,  who  arrived  from  abroad  in  1745, 
took  charge  of  the  church  in  Germantown.  So  the  pastorates 
are  as  follows  : 

Rev.  Henry  Melchior  Muhlenberg,  1 742-1 745  ;  Rev.  Brunn- 
holz, 1 745— t 75 1  ;  Rev.  Handschuh,  1 75 1— 1 757.  From  175 7— 
1 763,  the  accounts  are  musty,  and  the  times  stormy.  Clearer 
skies  came  in  1763,  for  then  pastor  John  Nicholas  Kurtz  served 
the  congregation  one  year.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  John 
LudwigVoigt,  1 764-1 765  ;  Rev.  Jacob  Van  Buskerk,  1 766-1 769  ; 
Rev.  John  Frederick  Schmidt,  1 769-1 786;  Rev.  John  Fred- 
erick Weinland,  1 786-1 789;  Rev.  Frederick  David  Schaeffer, 
1790-1812;  Rev.  John  C.  Baker,  1812-1828;  Rev.  Benjamin 
Keller,  1828-1835  ;  Rev.  John  William  Richards,  1836-1845. 

Trinity  Lutheran  Church,  Germantown. 

Trinity  Lutheran  church  is  an  offshoot  of  St.  Michael's  church 
of  Germantown.  It  was  organized  with  a  membership  of  about 
thirty  persons,  February  28,  1836,  when  the  vestry  was  installed 
by  the  Rev.  Philip  F.  Mayer,  D.  D.,  then  of  St.  John's  church, 
Race  street,  Philadelphia.  The  names  of  the  vestrymen  were 
Thomas  Haddin,  Henry  Goodman,  Michael  Trumbauer,  David 
Heist,  Henry  Nicholas,  Jacob  Mehl,  John  Felton,  George  Heist, 
George  Geysel  and  Joseph  Heist.  The  original  name  of  the 
church  was  the  English  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  of  German- 
town.  At  first  the  congregation  worshiped  in  the  brick  building 
at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Mill  streets,  now  occupied  by  the 
Woman's  Christian  Association.  While  worshiping  there  it 
elected  as  its  first  pastor  William  N.  Scholi,  who  had  just  com- 
pleted his  theological  studies  at  the  Seminary  at  Gettysburg,  Pa. 
Mr.  Scholi  preached  his  first  sermon  in  the  brick  building  April 
17,  1836.     On  June   2,    1836,  he   was  licensed,  at  the  meeting 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  157 

of  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania  at  Easton,  to  preach  the  gospel. 
On  June  12,  he  preached  his  introductory  sermon  from  1st  Cor- 
inthians, 2d  chapter  and  2d  verse:  "For  I  determined  not  to 
know  anything  among  you,  save  Jesus  Christ,  and  him  crucified." 
In  the  meantime  the  congregation  had  purchased  the  property  at 
the  corner  of  Main  and  Queen  streets  for  the  sum  of  $3,000.00  on 
which  it  immediately  proceeded  to  erect  a  church  edifice  45x55 
feet,  at  a  cost  of  $2,699.68.  The  corner-stone  of  this  building 
was  laid  on  May  15,  1837,  Rev.  Philip  F.  Mayer,  D.  D.,  and 
Rev.  Jacob  Medtart  officiating  at  the  morning  services,  and 
Rev.  Charles  W.  Schaeffer  at  the  afternoon.  On  December  3, 
1837,  the  building  was  dedicated,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Mayer  preaching 
the  sermon  from  Psalms  lxxxiv.  1  :  "  How  amiable  are  thy  taber- 
nacles, O  Lord  of  hosts  !"  The  first  communion  was  held  on 
June  19,  1836,  and  the  first  accessions  to  the  congregation  were 
made  on  Whitsunday,  May  14,  1837.  The  first  baptism  in  the 
church  under  the  Rev.  William  N.  Scholl  was  that  of  Henry 
Ernest,  son  of  Henry  and  Maria  Goodman ;  the  first  marriage, 
that  of  Reuben  G.  Tomlinson  to  Hannah  K.  Shepherd  ;  and  the 
first  burial,  that  of  William  Saunders,  of  Rising  Sun.  As  a  pastor 
the  Rev.  W.  N.  Scholl  stood  high  in  the  estimation  of  his  flock, 
being  diligent  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties,  and  watchful  of  the 
interests  committed  to  his  care.  His  pastorate  over  the  congre- 
gation extended  from  June  12,  1836,  to  March  5,  1840. 

Rev.  Mr.  Scholl  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Samuel  D.  Finckel, 
who  came  to  Germantown,  May  28,  1840.  His  first  com- 
munion was  held  June  7,  1840,  and  his  last,  December  1, 
1843.  His  first  recorded  accessions  to  the  church  took  place  on 
September  5,  1840.  On  February  7,  1844,  Mr.  Finckel  re- 
signed the  pastorate  of  the  congregation.  Although  his  pastorate 
was  short  in  its  continuance,  the  impress  he  made  upon  the  con- 
gregation was  remarkable.  There  was  something  in  the  very 
make  of  the  man  that  told  upon  all  with  whom  he  came  in  con- 
tact. Genial  in  his  manners,  warm-hearted  in  his  disposition, 
brilliant  in  intellect,  and  eloquent  in  speech,  he  drew  men  of  all 
classes  to  him  personally,  and  also  attracted  them  to  the  house  of 
God. 

Rev.  William  F.  Eyster  became  the  successor  of  Mr.  Finckel, 


158  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

and  assumed  the  pastorate  on  May  12,  1844.  His  first  recorded 
communion  is  that  of  July  7,  1844.  The  largest  accession  to  the 
church  at  any  communion  occurred  during  the  ministry  of  Rev. 
Mr.  Eyster.  This  was  on  April  16,  1848,  when  thirteen  persons 
were  received  by  adult  baptism,  twenty-eight  by  confirmation, 
four  by  renewal  of  profession,  and  seven  by  certificate  from 
the  Presbyterian  church.  At  that  time  there  was  a  wonderful 
awakening  on  the  subject  of  religion  in  Germantown,  and  this 
church  shared  largely  in  the  ingathering  that  followed.  On 
August  14,  1 85 1,  Rev.  Mr.  Eyster  resigned  the  pastorate  of  the 
congregation,  to  take  charge  of  the  church  at  Chambersburg. 
Mr.  Eyster  was  a  living  embodiment  of  a  Christian  gentleman. 
Sincerity  beamed  forth  in  his  speech  and  actions.  To  him  a 
mean  deed  was  impossible.  Ever  courteous,  ever  gentle,  ever 
loving,  ever  forbearing  and  forgiving,  he  walked  in  his  Master's 
footsteps  and  preached  daily  sermons  by  his  constant  exhibition 
of  these  Christian  graces.  At  this  present  writing  he  is  a  resident 
of  Crete,  Salina  county,  Nebraska. 

Mr.  Eyster  was  succeeded  by  the  present  pastor,  Rev.  Luther 
E.  Albert,  who  came  to  Germantown  on  November  23,  1851. 
His  first  recorded  communion  was  held  in  the  month  of  March 
1858,  when  95  persons  participated  in  the  blessed  ordinance  of 
the  Lord's  Supper.  After  a  few  years  had  elapsed,  the  congre- 
gation undertook  the  building  of  a  new  church  edifice.  The  con- 
tract for  the  building,  exclusive  of  the  furniture  and  the  spire, 
called  for  $13,500.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  on  October  11, 
1856,  the  Rev.  Philip  F.  Mayer,  D.  D.,  officiating.  Among  others 
who  were  present  on  that  occasion  were  Rev.  Theophilus  Stork, 
D.  I).,  and  Rev.  Edwin  W.  Hutter,  D.  D.  At  the  dedication  of 
the  church,  which  occurred  on  October  12,  1857,  Rev.  John  G. 
Morris,  D.  D.,  of  Baltimore,  Md.,  officiated.  In  1867  the  organ 
was  purchased  at  an  expense  of  $2,096.15,  and  in  1870  the  church 
was  frescoed.  In  1886  the  church  was  renovated  and  improved 
at  a  cost  of  $16,000.  The  growth  of  the  congregation,  in  every 
direction,  has  been  marked  and  steady.  The  number  of  those 
entitled  to  membership,  at  this  present  writing,  is  about  300.  The 
active  communing  membership  is  about  250.  The  strength  of  the 
Sunday-school  is  as  follows  :  officers  and  teachers,  46  ;  scholars, 


SKETCHES    OF   CONGREGATIONS.  1 59 

325.  The  present  superintendent  is  Theophilus  H.  Smith.  In 
connection  with  the  church  is  a  Woman's  Home  and  Foreign 
Missionary  Society,  a  Young  People's  Lyceum,  and  a  Society  of 
Christian  Endeavor.  The  Board  of  Trustees  consists  of  the  fol- 
lowing members  :  President,  M.  L.  Finckel ;  secretary,  F.  Studen- 
mund  ;  treasurer,  Jacob  Green  ;  associates,  Theophilus  H.  Smith, 
Samuel  Goodman,  George  Jenkins,  William  Martin,  Theophilus 
Stork,  William  Maybury,  David  Barrows,  Jr.,  Charles  Longmire 
and  Henry  Yeager ;  assistant  pastor,  Rev.  Clinton  E.  Walter. 
Such  is  a  brief  history  of  Trinity  Lutheran  church,  Germantown. 
Thankful  for  the  past,  she  moves  on  hopefully  into  the  future. 


XXIX.  ST.  MATTHEW'S  CHURCH,  READING. 

BY  MR.  CHARLES  H.  TYSON. 

Trinity  Lutheran  church,  the  mother  church  of  St.  Matthew's, 
as  well  as  of  all  the  other  Lutheran  churches  of  Reading,  was 
founded  in  1751  by  German  Lutherans.  The  early  pastors  were 
as  follows  :  H.  B.  G.  Wordman,  1752  to  1753  ;  D.  Schuhmacher, 
1754  to  1755  ;  J.  C.  Hartwig,  1757  to  1758;  B.  M.  Hausihl,  1759 
to  1762;  J.  A.  Krug,  1764  to  1 77 1  ;  Henry  Moeller,  1775;  D. 
Lehman,  1779  to  1780;  C.  F.  Wildbahn,  1782  to  1796;  D. 
Lehman,  1796  to  1801;  H.  A.  Muhlenberg,  1803  to  1829; 
Jacob  Miller,  1829  to  1850. 

For  almost  a  century  the  worship  was  carried  on  in  the  Ger- 
man language.  About  the  year  1842  the  town  had  a  large 
English  population ;  the  English  language  was  spoken  in  the 
schools,  in  business  transactions,  and  in  social  intercourse.  The 
children,  though  of  German  parentage,  were  growing  up  in  total 
ignorance  of  that  language.  A  large  number  of  the  congrega- 
tion discovered  that  their  children  were  deriving  no  benefit  from 
the  worship  and  were  wandering  away  to  the  English  churches, 
which  were  the  Presbyterian,  the  Episcopalian,  and  the  Metho- 
dist. To  prevent  this  loss  to  the  Lutheran  church,  several 
members,  with  Dr.  Diller  Luther  as  spokesman,  requested  the 
pastor  of  Trinity,  Rev.  Jacob  Miller,  to  hold  English  services  at 


160  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

intervals  of  a  month  or  six  weeks.  Rev.  Miller  was  a  pious,  con- 
scientious and  earnest  man  ;  but,  fortunately  for  us  in  this  instance, 
very  conservative  in  his  views.  Having  been  educated  under  the 
German  system,  and  being  somewhat  advanced  in  years,  he  could 
not  appreciate  the  importance  of  the  situation.  He  refused  ab- 
solutely to  comply  with  their  request. 


ST.    MATTHEW'S    EVANGELICAL    LUTHERAN    CHURCH,    READING,    PA. 

Earnestly  desirous  of  accomplishing  their  object,  they  started 
an  English  service  at  5th  and  Penn  streets,  in  the  Old  State 
House,  which  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1873.  ^n  order  to  secure 
a  large  attendance  and  also    the  co-operation  of  the    English 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  l6l 

community,  they  held  services  in  the  afternoon,  the  English 
churches  being  open  in  the  evening.  The  attendance  from  the 
beginning  was  large,  and  at  length  overtures  were  again  made  to 
the  pastor  of  Trinity,  which  were  again  rejected.  They  now  had 
no  alternative  except  a  separate  permanent  organization. 

Rev.  J.  S.  Schock,  then  lately  graduated  from  the  Seminary  at 
Gettysburg,  had  acted  as  pastor  of  this  little  flock  from  its  first 
gathering.  He  was  young,  talented,  active,  and  eminently  fitted 
for  the  hard  task  he  had  undertaken  to  perform.  His  salary 
when  engaged  was  $300,  which  was  afterwards  reduced  to  $150, 
owing  to  the  meagre  resources  of  the  congregation.  The  first 
council  meeting  was  held  in  March,  1842,  and  the  officers  were 
Rev.  Schock,  president,  Dr.  Diller  Luther,  secretary,  and  Henry 
Haas,  treasurer.  The  men  most  active  in  this  movement,  to 
whom  St.  Matthew's  church  is  largely  indebted  for  what  she  is  to- 
day, were  Dr.  Diller  Luther,  John  Hepler,  Sr.,  Frederick  Fox, 
Henry  Haas,  Peter  Filbert,  Henry  Fry,  Adam  Rightmyer,  Dr.  S. 
S.  Birch,  Jacob  Sallade,  Peter  Shanaman,  Joseph  Moyer,  William 
Ziegler,  Nicholas  Mason,  John  German,  Jeremiah  Hagenman, 
Marks  B.  Scull,  George  Frees,  Jesse  Orner,  Paul  Amnion  and 
Samuel  Focht.  The  first  communion  was  held  in  September, 
1842,  when  17  communicants  presented  themselves;  at  the  same 
time  a  considerable  number  were  confirmed.  The  first  infant 
baptism  occurred  in  1842,  Susan  Yeager  being  the  subject;  the 
first  marriage  ceremony  of  which  there  is  now  any  record  was 
performed  in  1843,  and  Levi  Moser  and  Catharine  Myers  were 
the  contracting  parties.  In  spite  of  all  difficulties  and  hin- 
drances, the  congregation  grew  rapidly.  In  1843  an  appeal  was 
made  to  the  other  churches  in  Fastern  Pennsylvania  for  aid  in 
building  a  church.  Rev.  Schock  was  sent  out  as  collector,  and 
during  his  absence  Rev.  Kohler  acted  as  his  substitute.  The 
church  was  begun  in  May,  1844,  and  dedicated  on  the  2 2d  of 
December  of  the  same  year.  The  services  were  prolonged  for 
several  days,  and  many  eminent  divines  were  present,  from  Phila- 
delphia, Baltimore,  and  other  places ;  among  these  were  Rev.  J. 
G.  Morris,  D.  D.,  who  preached  the  dedication  sermon,  Rev.  F. 
W.  Conrad,  and  Rev.  John  McCron,  who  preached  an  impressive 
sermon  from  the  text,  "  What  think  ye  of  Christ?" 


1 62  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

The  congregation  increased  in  numbers  slowly  but  steadily  in 
their  new  home,  notwithstanding  some  opposition  on  the  part  of 
outside  parties.  The  following  incident  is  related  to  show  the 
feeling  (now  happily  extinct)  which  existed  on  the  part  of  the 
old  toward  the  new  congregation.  The  first  death,  that  of  Dr. 
Birch,  occurred  in  1845.  As  the  plot  surrounding  the  church 
was  very  small,  the  pastor  first  applied  for  permission  to  bury 
upon  Trinity  graveyard.  Permission  was  granted,  upon  condition 
that  the  pastor  of  Trinity  should  conduct  the  services.  Not 
deeming  it  proper  to  accept  the  conditions,  the  body  of  Dr. 
Birch  was  buried  in  the  space  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  church, 
from  which  it  was  afterwards  removed  to  Charles  Evans'  ceme- 
tery. No  incident  worthy  of  mention  occurred  until  1849,  when 
Rev.  Schock  received  a  call  from  New  York  City,  resigned,  and 
was  succeeded  by  Rev.  J.  A.  Brown.  During  Rev.  Brown's  pas- 
torate, a  schism  arose  in  Trinity  church  and  a  large  number  se- 
ceded, some  forming  a  new  church  and  others  swelling  our  mem- 
bership. Among  those  prominent  in  this  second  period  of  the 
church's  history  were  Major  S.  E.  Ancona,  Dr.  Ulrich,  Jacob  S. 
Livingood,  Esq.,  Messrs.  Weida,  Lindemuth,  Craig  and  Lehman, 
and  Mrs.  Esther  G.  Otto,  familiarly  known  as  Mother  Otto. 
In  consequence  of  this  diminution,  the  council  of  Trinity  made 
propositions  to  our  council  looking  to  the  return  of  our  con- 
gregation to  the  bosom  of  the  mother  church,  which  were  re- 
spectfully declined.  Rev.  Brown  resigned  in  1859,  and  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  Milton  Valentine,  during  whose  term  the 
church  was  repaired  ;  Rev.  M.  W.  Hamma,  from  1866  to  1869  ; 
Rev.  Samuel  Domer,  from  1869  to  1872  ;  Rev.  J.  M.  Anspach, 
from  1872  to  1877  ;  and  our  present  pastor,  Rev.  T.  C.  Bill- 
heimer,  D.  D. 

For  many  weeks  after  the  first  meeting  of  the  congregation,  the 
attention  of  the  members  was  centered  upon  the  growth  of  the 
church.  Their  children  were  scattered,  some  attending  the 
Presbyterian,  some  the  Methodist,  and  others  the  Union  Sunday- 
school  which  had  been  opened  by  Judge  Darling,  in  the  Old 
Court  House  on  Penn  Square.  At  length,  early  in  December, 
1842,  several  of  the  younger  members  of  the  church — Misses 
Eliza,   Lydia  and  Louisa  Filbert,  Miss  Hope  Pettit,  Miss  Boyer, 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  1 63 

Mr.  George  Frees,  Mr.  Jacob  Boyer,  and  Rev.  Schock — met  in  the 
office  of  Peter  Filbert,  Esq.,  and  organized  our  Sunday-school, 
whose  first  regular  session  was  held  on  the  Sunday  before  Christ- 
mas. Dr.  Diller  Luther  was  elected  president,  Frederic  Fox 
vice-president,  Rev.  Schock  superintendent,  Jeremiah  Hagen- 
man  secretary,  Mrs.  McCombs  directress,  Jacob  Boyer  treas- 
urer and  A.  Raiguel  librarian.  The  school  first  met  on  Frank- 
lin street  above  6th,  in  a  building  upon  the  site  of  the  Reading 
fire-engine  house.  The  attendance  numbered  about  forty.  The 
meetings  were  held  in  this  building,  then  called  the  infant  school, 
until  early  in  the  following  spring,  when  the  building  was  dam- 
aged by  fire  and  the  school  was  removed  to  the  public  school 
house  at  Chestnut  and  Carpenter  streets.  Here  the  sessions 
were  held  until  November,  1844,  when  the  church  was  so  far 
completed  as  to  allow  the  school  to  meet  in  the  basement.  On 
the  day  of  its  removal  the  school  was  addressed  by  several  clergy- 
men then  attending  the  Synod  held  in  our  city.  The  school 
numbered  60  when  they  left  Franklin  street,  75  when  they  came 
to  the  new  church,  and  about  100  when  Rev.  Schock  resigned 
in  1849.  The  infant  school  was  established  in  1845  by  Rev. 
Schock,  and  Mrs.  John  Craig,  then  Miss  Eliza  Filbert,  was  the 
first  teacher.  A  celebration  was  held  at  High's  Woods  on  the 
Fourth  of  July,  1845  ;  a  large  table  was  set,  and  the  whole  congre- 
gation as  one  family  celebrated  the  day.  That  celebration  seems 
to  have  been  kept  green  in  the  memories  of  the  older  members 
of  the  church. 

Mr.  George  Frees,  who  had  acted  as  superintendent  in  con- 
nection with  Rev.  Schock  from  the  organization  of  the  school, 
served  until  1851,  and  was  succeeded  by  Charles  Davis,  Esq., 
whose  term  continued  only  for  one  year.  He  was  succeeded  by 
Mr.  Frederic  Fox,  who  served  for  three  years.  Rev.  Brown 
then  became  superintendent,  and  continued  such  until  his  resig- 
nation as  pastor.  Jacob  S.  Livingood,  Esq.,  was  then  elected, 
who,  after  serving  a  short  time,  resigned  in  favor  of  his  brother, 
William  H.  Livingood,  Esq.,  who  held  the  position  until  1863. 
During  the  15  years  from  1848  to  1863,  the  school  increased  from 
a  membership  of  100  to  that  of  250.  The  pastor,  Rev.  Valen- 
tine, filled  the  position  of  superintendent  from  1863  until  he  re- 


164  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

signed  in  1866.  Mr.  Frank  Fichthorn  was  then  elected,  and 
served  for  1 1  years — during  the  pastorates  of  Revs.  Hamma, 
Domer,  and  Anspach.  During  Rev.  Hamraa's  pastorate,  the 
school  numbered  400 — a  greater  number  than  it  ever  had  before 
or  has  had  since.  During  the  terms  of  Revs.  Domer  and  Anspach 
the  number  fluctuated  between  300  and  400.  Mr.  Fichthorn 
was  succeeded  in  1878  by  Mr.  Edward  Scull,  who  served  until 
January,  1888.  Frank  S.  Livingood,  Esq.,  was  then  elected  and 
served  until  January,  1892,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Jacob 
A.  Buch,  the  present  superintendent. 

The  first  mission  was  organized  in  i86e,  at  10th  and  Green 
streets,  by  Rev.  Valentine  and  Mr.  Frederic  Fox,  and  soon  grew 
from  a  membership  of  17  to  that  of  175  in  1865.  Owing  to  the 
resignation  of  Rev.  Valentine  and  the  removal  from  town  of  Mr. 
Fox,  the  school  fell  into  other  hands,  and  is  now  known  as  St. 
Luke's  Lutheran  church,  a  very  flourishing  congregation.  The 
second  mission,  known  as  the  Rose  Valley  Sunday-school,  was 
organized  in  1874  by  Major  S.  E.  Ancona,  Mrs.  Bessie  Hunter, 
and  Mr.  Frank  Fichthorn,  and  finally  abandoned  in  1879  as  un- 
fruitful. The  third  mission  was  founded  in  the  winter  of  188 1,  at 
4th  and  Elm  streets,  by  Mrs.  A.  S.  Ladd,  Rev.  Daniel  A. 
Shetler,  and  Mr.  Cornelius  T.  Anderson.  The  membership  num- 
bered 30,  and,  upon  Rev.  Shetler's  removal  from  town,  he  was 
succeeded  by  Mr.  A.  B.  Yorgey  in  1881,  who  was  in  turn  suc- 
ceeded by  Mr.  Edward  C.  Hecht  in  1882.  In  1886,  when  the 
movement  had  begun  for  the  erection  of  a  new  chapel,  this  mis- 
sion was  merged  into  the  main  school. 

During  Dr.  Billheimer's  pastorate  the  congregation  and  school 
grew  too  large  to  be  accommodated  in  the  building  at  Franklin 
and  Pearl  streets,  and  under  his  leadership,  in  1886,  a  fund  was 
started  for  the  erection  of  a  chapel  for  the  Sunday-school  upon 
an  adjoining  property,  but  eventually  the  movement  expanded 
into  a  fund  for  a  new  church.  A  lot  was  bought  at  5th  and  Elm 
streets,  and  in  April,  1889,  ground  was  broken  for  the  erection 
of  a  church  and  chapel.  On  January  19,  1890,  the  corner-stone 
was  laid  by  Rev.  W.  H.  Dunbar  and  the  pastor,  in  the  presence 
of  the  other  clergy  of  the  city  and  the  congregation.  On  July 
12,  1 89 1,  the  building  was  dedicated  by  Revs.  W.  H.   Dunbar, 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  1 65 

H.  W.  McKnight,  D.  D.,  and  Samuel  B.  Barnitz,  with  impressive 
ceremonies,  and  funds  were  collected  to  pay  for  the  edifice.  The 
Congregation,  headed  by  the  pastor  and  council,  marched  in  a 
body  from  the  old  to  the  new  church.  The  new  edifice  is  an  im- 
posing structure,  built  of  stone,  containing  in  front  an  auditorium 
with  a  seating  capacity  of  550  persons,  with  vaulted  ceiling,  beau- 
tiful windows,  altar  and  pulpit,  and  comfortable  pews  and  furni- 
ture. The  chapel,  with  an  entrance  from  Elm  street  and  another 
from  the  auditorium,  has  two  stories,  upon  the  first  of  which  is 
the  lecture  room  and  infant  school,  and  upon  the  second  story,  a 
beautiful  main  school  room  with  a  gallery  for  the  larger  classes. 
Later  results  have  justified  the  congregation  in  the  erection  of 
their  new  edifice,  as  the  Sunday-school  has  grown  so  large  that 
arrangements  are  now  making  to  utilize  the  basement  of  the 
church  for  its  use,  in  addition  to  the  rooms  already  occupied. 
The  whole  structure  when  completed  will  cost  about  $65,000. 
The  church  and  Sunday-school  now  number  about  350  persons 
each,  with  indications  of  a  steady  increase  in  the  future. 


XXX.  ZION  CHURCH,  LEBANON. 

BY    H.  H.  ROEDEL,  M.  D. 

The  earliest  records  of  the  Lutheran  church  at  Lebanon  are  a 
marriage,  February  25,  1 731,  and  a  death,  April  28,  1734.  About 
the  years  1 733-1 735  the  first  efforts  were  made  to  gather  the  scat- 
tered Germans,  who  had  settled  around  where  the  town  of  Leb- 
anon now  stands,  into  a  congregation.  Worship  was  conducted 
at  a  point  about  two  and  a  half  miles  south-east  of  the  present 
site  of  the  town,  where  a  house  of  worship  was  afterwards  built, 
called  "  Die  Kruppe  Kirche."  This  edifice  was  occupied  by  the 
congregation  until  about  1768.  In  March,  1765,  a  lot  of  ground, 
within  the  present  borough  limits,  was  deeded  for  church  pur- 
poses, by  the  Rev.  John  Caspar  Stoever  and  others  for  the  use  of 
the  Lutheran  congregation  for  "the  yearly  rent  of  one  red  rose  in 
June  of  every  year  forever  hereafter,  if  the  same  shall  be  lawfully 
demanded."  A  school-house  was  built  the  same  year,  which  was 
also  used  for  church  purposes.     The  church  was  probably  erected 


1 66  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

about  four  years  later.  The  corner-stone  of  the  present  edifice 
(Salem)  was  laid  June  8,  1796.  The  regular  pastors  who  served 
this  congregation  from  the  time  of  its  location  in  the  town  until 
the  organization  of  Zion  church  were  as  follows  :  F.  A.  C.  Muhlen- 
berg, 1773 — 1775;  William  Kurtz,  1775 — 1794;  George  Loch- 
man,  1794 — 1815  ;  William  G.  Ernst,  1815 — 1836;  Jonathan 
Ruthrauff,  1836  to  1844.* 

The  views  of  church  membership  held  by  Rev.  Ruthrauff  dif- 
fered widely  from  those  entertained  by  many  clergymen  in  this 
vicinity.  Horse-racing,  gambling  and  drinking  to  excess,  were 
practices  not  infrequently  indulged  in  by  members  of  this  com- 
munity who  claimed  positions  in  the  church  as  officers.  The 
pastor,  however,  refused  to  install  such.  When  expostulated  with, 
he  claimed  the  introduction  of  no  new  tenets,  but  referred  to  the 
formula  for  the  government  and  discipline  of  the  Evangelical  Lu- 
theran Church,  of  which  they  were  a  part.  This  proceeding  was 
the  origin  of  a  long  church  strife.  True,  the  issue  was  not  claimed 
to  be  such.  To  speak  or  preach  English,  was  almost  looked  upon 
as  wicked.  So  prejudiced  was  the  community  against  English 
preaching,  that  this  was  made  the  cudgel  which  the  wily  enemies  of 
Sunday-schools,  prayer-meetings  and  vital  godliness  used  to  en- 
list the  sympathies  and  obtain  the  influence  of  church  members 
against  the  introduction  of  the  latter.  So  bitter  did  the  feeling 
against  the  pastor  and  his  adherents  become,  that  the  opposite 
party  locked  the  church,  forbidding  the  pastor  to  preach.  This 
resulted  in  a  suit  at  court,  which  eventually  was  compromised,  the 
followers  of  the  pastor  accepting  less  than  $800,  for  which  they 
relinquished  all  right,  title  and  claim  to  the  church,  graveyard  and 
parsonage. 

These  members,  with  the  pastor,  formed  the  nucleus  of  a  new 
church  organization,  which  was  incorporated  by  an  Act  of  As- 
sembly, dated  March  14,  1844,  the  corporate  name  and  title 
being,  "  The  Evangelical  Lutheran  Congregation  of  the  Borongh 
of  Lebanon  and  its  vicinity."  Immediate  steps  were  taken  to 
build  a  church.     A  lot  on  the    corner  of  Market,   now   North 

*  The  facts  above  have  been  gleaned  from  the  published  History  of  Leb- 
anon County. 


SKETCHES   OF   CONGREGATIONS.  1 67 

Ninth  Street  and  Spring  Alley,  was  purchased  by  Mr.  Jacob  Stoe- 
ver,  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  from  Mr.  Jacob  Schaff- 
ner,  of  Marietta,  upon  which  to  erect  a  suitable  building.  Little 
money  was  in  circulation  here  at  that  time.  Business  transac- 
tions were  carried  on  by  barter.  Labor  was  exchanged  for  pro- 
duce, and  produce  for  merchandise. 

The  members  of  the  new  church  organization,  with  few  ex- 
ceptions, were  poor.  Yet,  under  such  adverse  circumstances, 
they  undertook  the  erection  of  a  church  edifice,  costing  from 
twelve  to  thirteen  thousand  dollars.  The  excavations  for  founda- 
tion and  cellar  were  made  by  the  members,  without  the  ex- 
penditure of  one  dollar  in  money.  The  Lord  put  it  into  the 
hearts  of  several  parties  (not  members  of  the  church)  owning 
stone  quarries,  to  give  the  members  of  the  church  the  privilege  of 
quarrying  all  required  for  the  church,  free  of  cost.  Farmers 
(members  of  the  church)  did  the  hauling,  while  town  members 
did  the  loading  and  unloading  gratuitously.  The  officers  of  the 
Union  Canal  Company  gave  the  privilege  of  gathering  all  the 
sand  for  plastering  the  church  inside  and  out  (the  church  was 
rough  cast)  at  the  water  works,  free  of  cost,  and  it  was  all  deliv- 
ered without  the  expenditure  of  a  dollar  in  money — some 
members  furnishing  teams,  others  loading  and  unloading.  The 
pastor's  horse  was  in  daily  use  for  hauling  the  water  necessary  to 
make  the  mortar. 

Among  the  church  members  were  three  carpenters,  none  of 
whom  could  subscribe  a  large  sum  of  money.  They  agreed, 
however,  to  do  a  certain  amount  of  work  in  the  church. 
Augustus  Reinoehl  (now  of  Lancaster)  did  the  necessary  work  in 
the  basement ;  Henry  Zimmerman,  that  of  the  church  chamber ; 
and  Benjamin  Moore,  the  woodwork  at  the  roof  and  tower. 
Israel  Karch  did  the  painting  at  fifty  cents  per  day. 

The  present  generation  cannot  realize,  much  less  appreciate, 
the  sacrifices  made  by  the  original  members  of  this  church. 
Children  denied  themselves  butter  and  fruit,  selling  these  to  ob- 
tain money  to  contribute  to  the  church.  Some  worked  after 
school  hours  for  the  same  object.  The  pastor  stimulated  every 
member  of  the  congregation  by  his  own  liberality.  He  not  only 
gave  much  time,  labor,  and  money  (receiving  only  two  hundred 


1 68  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

and  forty  dollars'  salary  while  the  church  was  being  built),  but 
even  imperiled  his  health.  With  all  the  contributions  of  labor 
and  money,  when  the  church  was  completed  and  dedicated  there 
remained  a  debt  of  over  three  thousand  dollars  on  the  building. 

The  salary  and  interest  on  the  debt  was  a  grievous  burden. 
Nor  was  this  all.  A  new  church  necessarily  called  for  improved 
methods  in  church  attendance.  Pious  parents  desired  to  have 
their  children  not  only  accompany  them,  but  occupy  the  same 
pew.  This  was  looked  upon  as  an  innovation  and  seriously  ob- 
jected to.  It  was  regarded  as  a  design,  on  the  part  of  some 
members,  to  select  the  best  pews  and  deprive  others  of  occupy- 
ing choice  ones.  To  prove  this  view  erroneous,  the  party  desir- 
ous of  having  their  children  sit  with  them  proposed  drawing  lots 
annually  for  pews.  This  was  acceded  to,  and  indulged  in  for 
several  years,  much  to  the  satisfaction  of  some  and  disgust  of 
others.  Now,  the  most  liberal  contributors  objected.  They 
were  generally  unfortunate  enough  to  draw  pews  under  the  gal- 
lery, while  contributors  of  sums  less  than  one  dollar  annually,  al- 
most always  secured  the  most  desirable  ones.  This  disposition 
of  the  pews  existed  until  1849,  when  the  pastor,  in  consequence 
of  ill  health,  was  obliged  to  resign.  Rev.  A.  C.  Wedekind  be- 
came his  successor. 

How  to  pay  the  interest  of  the  debt  and  an  increase  of  salar>, 
was  the  question  which  presented  itself  to  the  trustees  and  the 
congregation  at  the  annual  meeting ;  besides,  the  pew  question 
still  remained  unsettled. 

Another  year  passed,  the  annual  expenditures  exceeding  the  in- 
come. No  better,  in  fact  no  other  plan  seeming  possible,  it  was 
determined  to  rent  the  pews  annually,  to  the  highest  bidder,  re- 
serving ten  free  pews,  five  on  each  side  of  the  middle  aisle,  (the 
choicest  in  the  church)  for  the  poorer  members,  so  that  none 
could  complain  of  being  deprived  of  the  use  of  pews.  This  gave 
rise  to  our  present  pew  system. 

Upon  the  resignation  of  the  Rev.  Jonathan  Ruthrauff,  the 
congregation  at  Schaefferstown  severed  its  connection  with  this 
charge,  leaving  only  the  Hill  church  in  connection  with  Zion. 
This  made  it  possible  to  have  two  church  services  every  Sunday, 
the  pastor  preaching  both  German  and  English. 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  1 69 

During  the  latter  part  of  Rev.  Wedekind's  administration,  which 
was  of  thirteen  years'  duration,  the  Hill  church  was  added  to  the 
Annville  charge,  and  Lebanon  claimed  the  entire  time  of  the 
pastor. 

Rev.  L.  A.  Gotwald  succeeded  Rev.  Wedekind  in  April, 
1863.  It  was  during  his  administration  that  the  congregation, 
after  mature  deliberation,  deemed  it  best  to  sever  the  existing  re- 
lation between  the  English  and  German  members.  The  reason 
assigned  was  the  difficulty  of  obtaining  a  pastor  qualified  to  preach 
acceptably  in  both  languages  for  the  compensation  we  could  pay. 

This  division  gave  origin  to  the  Seventh  Street  Lutheran  con- 
gregation. The  English  portion  assisted  them  in  building  their 
first  church,  which  was  a  frame  structure.  It  has  now  been  re- 
built in  brick  and  is  a  very  handsome  church,  with  all  the  modern 
appointments.  The  trustees  of  the  mother  church  manifested 
their  kindly  feeling  by  voting  one  thousand  dollars  towards 
the  erection  of  this  building.  Rev.  L.  A.  Gotwald  served  the 
congregation  two  years,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Daniel 
Schindler  in  July,  1865.  The  church  services  were  now  altogether 
English.  During  this  administration,  about  1866,  the  parsonage, 
situated  on  Chestnut  street,  between  10th  and  Spring  streets,  was 
purchased. 

Rev.  Schindler  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  M.  Rhodes,  in  March, 
1867.  He  served  the  congregation  very  acceptably  for  five 
years,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  J.  F.  Reinmund  in  Novem- 
ber, 1872,  during  whose  administration  a  new  church  was  built 
(1875)  at  a  cost  of  $30,000.00.  The  lecture  and  school  rooms 
(of  which  there  were  three)  were  built  in  the  rear  of  the  church, 
admirably  adapted  to  the  wants  of  the  congregation,  and  models 
of  convenience  and  comfort.  Dr.  Reinmund  served  the  congre- 
gation seven  years,  and  was  succeeded  by  our  present  pastor,  the 
Rev.  Dr.  VV.  H.  Dunbar,  in  May,  1880.  The  parsonage  was 
thoroughly  repaired,  before  his  occupancy,  at  a  cost  of  fifteen 
hundred  dollars. 

In  1 89 1  an  addition  was  built,  consisting  of  a  study,  dining- 
room,  etc.,  making  it  complete  in  all  its  appointments,  at  an  ex- 
pense of  $2,000.00.  The  church  was  also  re-modeled,  beautified, 
and  the  interior  enlarged.  The  organ  was  placed  in  the  rear  of 
the  pulpit.     This  improvement  cost  $5,000.00. 


170  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

During  this  administration  the  large  and  convenient  Sunday- 
school  rooms  became  crowded,  and  it  became  necessary  to  locate 
the  Bible  Department  in  the  church  chamber  for  a  number  of 
years.  This  arrangement  was  not  sufficient  to  meet  the  growing 
needs  of  the  schools.  There  being  a  vacant  space  33x62  feet  in 
the  rear  of  the  Sunday-school  building,  it  was  resolved  to  add  a 
building  in  harmony  with  the  balance  of  the  church  at  a  cost  of 
$4,000.00.  This  has  been  done.  All  of  the  rooms  have  been 
renovated,  painted,  re-carpeted,  furnished  with  chairs,  etc.,  and 
the  congregation  now  claims  to  have  a  suite  of  Sunday-school 
rooms  second  to  none  in  the  country. 

The  pastors  of  Zion  trained  many  true  yoke- fellows,  who 
stood  shoulder  to  shoulder  and  were  in  touch  with  them  in  every 
good  word  and  work.  Three  entered  the  gospel  ministry,  the 
Revs.  Wm.  D.  Roedel,  Jacob  Weidman,  Johnson  Groff. 

SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. 

The  Sunday-school  of  Salem's  church,  which  was  held  in  what 
is  now  known  as  the  Beneficial  Hall,  North  Tenth  Street,  went 
bodily  with  the  new  church  organization,  and  when  the  new  Sun- 
day-school rooms  were  ready  for  occupancy,  provision  having 
been  made  for  two  departments,  another  progressive  step  was 
taken — an  infant  school  was  organized.  Notwithstanding  the 
sneering  remark  made  by  one  not  friendly  to  the  cause,  "  Who 
will  nurse  your  babies?"  it  has  been  a  decided  success.  The 
pastor's  wife,  Mrs.  Jonathan  Ruthrauff  and  Mr.  John  George,  both 
veterans  in  the  Sunday-school  work,  were  its  first  superintendents, 
taking  charge  of  the  ten  infant-school  scholars  present  on  the 
day  of  its  organization,  and  nobly  did  they  do  their  work.  Many 
graduates  of  that  infant-school  are  now  holding  positions  of  trust 
in  the  church  here  and  elsewhere,  and  its  impress  for  good  has 
been  stamped  upon  our  community.  Mrs.  Mary  Groff  and  Jacob 
Roedel  were  the  color-bearers  in  the  larger  school.  Both  depart- 
ments combined  rarely  averaged  over  100  pupils.  Soon,  how- 
ever, another  department  was  organized,  which  occupied  the  lec- 
ture room.  After  the  German  members  formed  a  new  organiza- 
tion, the  number  was  reduced  somewhat.  Gradually,  yet  stead- 
ily, the  school  increased  in  numbers — and  had  250  enrolled  in 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  171 

1872  ;  302  in  1879.  To-day  there  are  over  six  hundred  mem- 
bers upon  its  rolls.  Two  members  of  the  original  school,  held  in 
the  Salem  church  prior  to  the  separation,  are  now  members  of 
the  Bible-class,  Mr.  Andrew  Fasnacht  and  Mr.  George  R.  Fauber. 

MISSIONS. 

The  missionary  contributions  from  this  charge,  consisting  of 
Schaefferstown,  Hill  church  and  Lebanon,  amounted  to  $8.00  in 
1837.  Systematic  giving  was  early  inculcated  and  continuously 
taught,  until  this  part  of  the  congregation's  work  gives  evidence 
of  early  training  and  constant  practice,  as  shown  by  reference  to 
the  synodical  minutes  of  a  recent  date,  where  it  may  be  seen  that 
the  contributions  during  the  past  year  were  $1,199.13. 


XXXI.     ENGLISH  CHURCH,  POTTSVILLE. 

BY  REV.  E.  G.  HAY. 

There  were  both  Lutheran  and  Reformed  church-going  people 
in  Pottsville  prior  to  1834.  They  spoke  the  German  language, 
and  occasionally  were  ministered  to  by  visiting  pastors  of  their 
own  denominations,  but  until  June  29,  1834,  there  was  no  attempt 
among  either,  as  far  as  known,  at  anything  like  the  organization 
of  a  congregation.  At  that  time,  Rev.  Wm.  G.  Mennig  began 
preaching  to  the  people  of  both  denominations  in  a  block-house, 
used  during  the  week  as  a  school-house,  and  occupying  the  site  of 
the  present  grammar  school  building,  on  the  corner  of  Centre 
and  High  streets. 

On  June  18,  1837,  all  united  in  laying  the  corner-stone  of  a 
new  frame  structure  on  Third  street  as  their  common  place  of 
worship.  Revs.  George  and  William  G.  Mennig,  of  the  Lutheran, 
and  Rev.  Thomas  Leinbach  of  the  Reformed  church,  officiated 
upon  that  occasion.  On  October  8  and  9  of  the  same  year  the 
church  was  dedicated,  under  the  name  of  Emanuel's  church. 
Revs.  Thomas  Leinbach  and  David  Hassinger  of  the  Reformed, 
and  Revs.  Daniel  Ulrich,  Jonathan  Ruthrauff,  Gottlieb  Jeager  and 
William  G.  Mennig,  of  the  Lutheran  church,  officiated.  Prior  to 
1850,  the  Reformed  congregation  withdrew,  and  located  on  West 


I  72 


EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 


Market  street,  leaving  the  church   property  in  the  hands  of  the 
Lutherans. 

On  May  16,  1847,  some  members  left  the  pastoral  care  of  Rev. 
Wm.  G.  Mennig  and  formed  "The  English  Lutheran  Congrega- 
tion of  Pottsville,"  under  the  Rev.  Daniel  Steck.  There  were 
eleven  charter  members,  as  follows :  Mrs.  Mary  Bock,  Mrs. 
Samuel  Born,  Mrs.  Annie  Born,  Mr.  Daniel  Heil,  Mr.  Washington 
L.  Heisler,  Mrs.  Sarah  H.  Heisler,  Miss  Barbara  A.  Heisler,  Mr. 
Henry  G.  Kurtz,  Mrs.  Sarah  A.  Kurtz,  Mr.  John  H.  Kurtz  and  Mr. 
William  Zern.  The  congregation  worshiped  for  some  time  in  a 
frame  building  on  Second  street,  but  in  April,  185 1,  ground  was 


ENGLISH    EVANGELICAL    LUTHERAN    CHURCH,  POTTSVILLE,  PA. 


broken  for  the  erection  of  the  present  building.  Revs.  E.  Breid- 
enbaugh  and  John  E.  Graeff  assisted  at  the  laying  of  the  corner- 
stone, and  Revs.  B.  Kurtz,  D.  D.,  A.  C.  Wedekind,  and  E.  W. 
Hutter  at  the  dedication  of  the  completed  structure,  in  the  spring 
of  1852. 

Rev.  Steck  remained  until  Nov.  26,  1857.  He  organized  a 
Ladies'  Mite  Society  that  still  exists,  received  into  membership 
182  persons,  but  left  no  other  record  of  official  acts. 

Rev.  W.  H.  Luckenbach  was  pastor  from  November  26,  1857, 


SKETCHES   OF    CONGREGATIONS.  I  73 

to  August  20,  1859.  He  received  43,  baptized  31,  officiated  at 
16  weddings  and  26  funerals. 

Rev.  S.  A.  Holman  succeeded,  from  August  23,  1859,  to  Sep- 
tember 1,  1 86 1.  He  received  36,  baptized  39,  officiated  at  7 
weddings. 

Rev.  Philip  Willard,  of  Schuylkill  Haven,  supplied  the  congre- 
gation from  June  1  to  October  1,  1862,  receiving  11. 

Rev.  Uriel  Graves  followed,  serving  from  April  1,  1866,  to  July 
6,  1868.  He  received  123,  baptized  65,  officiated  at  4  weddings 
and  1  funeral. 

The  charter  was  changed  July  27,  1866.  allowing  all  members 
to  vote  at  elections.  Hitherto  the  men  only  had  the  privilege. 
A  lot  adjoining  the  church  was  purchased  for  $1,700.00.  In  April, 
1867,  an  addition  was  built  to  the  church,  six  feet  wider  than  the 
rest  of  the  building  and  twenty-eight  feet  in  length,  costing  $6,000.00. 
$1,000.00  of  this  was  paid  under  the  present  pastorate.  The  East 
Pennsylvania  Synod  convened  with  the  congregation  on  September 
25  of  this  year,  but  held  its  sittings  in  the  Second  Presbyterian 
church  near  by. 

Rev.  Daniel  Steele  again  served  the  congregation  from  Septem- 
ber 22,  1868,  to  July  17,  1870.  He  received  63  members,  but 
left  no  further  record. 

Rev.  J.  Q.  McAtee  had  charge  from  February  22,  1871,  to 
November  8,  1877.  He  received  260,  baptized  273,  officiated  at 
79  weddings  and  136  funerals.  In  December  13,  1876,  a  Young 
People's  Sociable  was  organized,  with  a  membership  of  37.  By 
February  19,  1872,  the  present  parsonage  was  erected,  at  a  cost 
of  $4,697.26.  It  is  a  commodious,  three-story  structure,  with 
pressed-brick  front  and  brown-stone  trimmings,  and  supplied  with 
all  modern  conveniences.  The  Sunday-school  room  was  re- 
floored,  and  re-seated  with  reversible  pews  in  ash  and  walnut. 

Rev.  John  McCron,  D.  D.,  was  pastor  from  June  20,  1878,  to 
August  1,  1880.  He  received  52,  baptized  33,  officiated  at  24 
weddings  and  2  funerals. 

Rev.  E.  G.  Hay,  the  present  pastor,  took  charge  on  November 
28,  1880.  He  has  thus  far  received  611,  baptized  431.  and  offi- 
ciated at  197  weddings  and  324  funerals.  According  to  the 
records,  therefore,  which  might  have  been  much  more  accurate, 


174  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

the  pastors  of  this  church  have  officiated  at  489  funerals  and  327 
weddings ;  have  baptized  862  children,  and  received  into  mem- 
bership 1,437  persons. 

Regretting  that  a  lack  of  knowledge,  even  after  a  careful  study 
of  available  records,  prevents  a  fuller  statement  of  leading  events 
which  occurred  under  preceding  pastorates,  we  note  the  following 
under  the  present.  Organizations  effected  :  November  13,  1881, 
Children's  Foreign  Missionary  Society,  membership  120.  April 
28,  1886,  Young  People's  Social  and  Literary  Assembly,  member- 
ship 31.  December  1,  1886,  Women's  Missionary  Society,  mem- 
bership 44.  December  15,  1886,  Young  Ladies'  Sewing  Circle, 
membership  52.  February  9,  1887,  Young  Men's  Christian  Asso- 
ciation, membership  23.  November  27,  1887,  The  Christian 
Workers — a  children's  mission-band — membership  50.  October 
13,  1890,  Young  Folks'  Lyceum,  membership  25.  December  9, 
189  1,  Young  Ladies'  Mission  Band,  membership  22.  January  10, 
1892,  A  Branch  of  Missionary  and  Church  Extension  Society  of 
Lebanon  Conference,  membership  25.  June  12,  1892,  Young 
People's  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor,  membership  25. 

From  September  20  to  26,  1882,  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod 
was  entertained  by  our  people.  On  November  10,  1883,  our 
congregation  held  a  Luther  Celebration  in  the  Academy  of  Music 
in  conjunction  with  the  German  Lutherans  of  this  place. 

On  February  23,  1883,  we  paid  off  our  debt  of  $2,000.00.  On 
May  13,  1883,  the  pastor's  salary  was  raised  $200.00.  Novem- 
ber 10,  1883,  new  pulpit  furniture  was  purchased  at  a  cost  of 
$200.  March  1,  1884,  the  present  envelope  system  took  the 
place  of  a  more  cumbersome  one.  May  16,  1884,  a  handsome 
pipe  organ  was  dedicated,  Rev.  F.  W.  Conrad,  D.  D.,  officiat- 
ing. The  instrument,  and  the  changes  necessitated  by  its  intro- 
duction, cost  $1,440.73.  April  5,  1885,  stained  glass  windows,  at 
a  cost  of  $400.00,  were  substituted  for  the  plain  ones  hitherto  in 
use.  July,  1885,  a  tin  roof  was  placed  upon  the  church.  In 
November,  1885,  a  renovation  of  the  audience  chamber  was  be- 
gun, which  was  completed  March  27,  1886,  at  an  outlay  of  $1,502.99. 
March  28,  the  room  was  re-dedicated,  Rev.  J.  H.  Menges 
officiating.  In  December,  1886,  the  pastor  began  the  publica- 
tion of  a  sixteen-page   monthly  congregational    paper,   entitled 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  175 

The  English  Lutheran.  It  is  in  pamphlet  form,  and  700  copies 
have  been  issued  monthly  for  these  six  years.  Many  interesting 
historical  facts  are  preserved  in  its  pages.  February  6,  1887,  the 
Sunday-school  was  re-opened  for  service  after  a  complete  renova- 
tion, including  re-papering  and  the  addition  of  handsomech  an- 
deliers.  August  1,  1887,  the  pastor's  salary  was  again  increased 
by  $200.00.  February  26,  1888,  a  second  department  was  added 
to  the  Sunday-school,  consisting  of  fifty-one  adult  scholars.  In 
April  a  new  Sunday-school  organ  was  purchased.  In  September, 
Rev.  W.  H.  Dunbar  officiated  at  the  dedication  of  a  new  build- 
ing just  erected  for  our  infant  scholars  at  a  cost  of  $1,333.00.  In 
the  same  month  the  pastor  completed  a  history  of  the  congrega- 
tion from  its  origin  to  that  time.  It  is  a  cloth-bound  volume  of 
167  pages,  and  embraces  many  valuable  statistics  carefully  col- 
lated. During  the  winter  of  1889  and  spring  of  189c,  the  old 
church  tower  was  removed  and  replaced  by  the  present  hand- 
some steeple,  one  hundred  and  eighteen  feet  in  height,  covered 
with  copper  and  slate,  and  surmounted  by  a  gilded  crown.  The 
cost  was  $1,600.00,  and  other  concurrent  improvements  on  the 
church  front  made  an  aggregate  expense  of  $2,000.00.  In  June, 
1892,  additional  changes  were  made  in  the  Sunday-school  room, 
costing  $150.00,  and  on  the  ninth  of  October  it  was  resolved  to  in- 
troduce steam  heat  at  once  into  both  church  and  parsonage  at  a 
cost  of  $850.00.     The  work  is  now  in  progress. 

Our  church  is  well  located,  and  the  congregation  has  long  en- 
joyed the  respect  and  sympathy  of  the  community  in  all  its 
efforts  after  material  and  spiritual  prosperity. 


XXXII.     ZION  CHURCH,  DAUPHIN. 

BY    REV.   M.  L.  HEISLER. 

The  following  quotation,  introducing  the  subject  of  the  organ- 
ization of  a  Lutheran  and  German  Reformed  congregation  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Dauphin,  is  from  Dr.  Wm.  Egle's  History  of  the 
counties  of  Dauphin  and  Lebanon  : 

"About  1770-  a  log  house  was  erected  on  land  owned  by 
Robert  McCord  half  a  mile  north  of  the  present  town  (Dauphin), 
and  on  the  site  of  the  '  Hill  Church  Cemetery.' 


176  EAST   PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

"  On  October  1 1.  1  796,  an  agreement  was  entered  into  whereby 
Mr.  McCord  stipulated  to  convey  by  deed  said  lot  to  the  trustees 
of  the  Middle  Paxtang  Presbyterian  congregation.  This  convey- 
ance was  made  November  6,  18 13,  to  Wra.  Cochran,  Wm.  Forster 
and  James  Green  as  said  trustees.  The  expenses  of  the  erection 
(of  the  building)  were  principally  met  by  the  Scotch-Irish  set- 
tlers, who  were  then  the  main  farmers  of  this  region.  The  con- 
gregation at  one  time  was  very  large,  and  this  old  log  (weather- 
boarded)  structure  held  200  persons.  The  increase  of  German 
settlers  led  to  the  Scotch-Irish  Presbyterians  removing,  and  the 
church  edifice  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  Lutheran  and  Ger- 
man Reformed,  or  was  jointly  owned  by  them  and  the  remaining 
Presbyterians.  It  burned  down  in  1855,  but  for  some  five  or  six 
years  previous  had  not  been  used  for  religious  services." 

The  only  information  at  hand  concerning  the  pastors  serving 
the  Lutheran  people  in  the  old  log  church  is,  that  at  a  period 
including  1830  Rev.  Augustus  H.  Lochman  preached  there;  and 
sometime  prior  to  1849,  Rev.  C.  F.  Stoever  became  pastor.  The 
latter  preached  in  the  town  of  Dauphin,  after  the  abandonment 
of  the  old  log  church,  in  the  old  Sons  of  Temperance  Hall. 

At  a  meeting  held  September  5,  1849,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  in  reliance  upon  the  God  of  our  fathers  we  un- 
dertake to  build  a  house  of  worship  for  the  joint  use  of  the  Luth- 
erans and  the  German  Reformed. 

A  building  committee  was  selected,  three  from  each  congrega- 
tion, viz.  :  Lutheran,  D.  Poffinberger,  Flias  Fertig,  H.  C.  Sponsler  ; 
German  Reformed,  George  Kinter,  Geo.  W.  Urbin,  Wilson  C. 
Hyde. 

The  following  resolution  was  passed  at  the  same  meeting  : 

Resolved,  That  the  church  be  built  on  the  lot  of  Mrs.  Gross  and 
part  of  the  lot  of  Daniel  Poffinberger,  if  needed. 

At  the  same  meeting  two  sets  of  officers,  one  for  each  congrega- 
tion, were  selected.  The  Lutherans  were  :  Elders,  Daniel  Poffin- 
berger and  Samuel  Miller  ;  Deacons,  H.  C.  Sponsler  and  Leonard 
Poffinberger. 

On  August  10,  1850,  the  corner-stone  of  the  new  church,  named 
Zion,  was  laid  with  appropriate  services.  The  exercises  prepar- 
atory   to    the    laying   of    the    corner-stone    were    conducted    in 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  I  77 

the  Methodist  church.  The  following-named  ministers  partici- 
pated : 

Rev.  Mesick,  Reformed ;  Rev.  C.  A.  Hay,  Lutheran  ;  Rev. 
Moore,  Presbyterian ;  Rev.  Ludden,  Methodist  Episcopal ;  Rev. 
C.  F.  Stoever,  pastor.  Prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  Moore,  and 
addresses  were  made  by  Revs.  Mesick  and  Hay.  Prayer  was 
offered  by  Rev.  Ludden,  after  which  the  meeting  adjourned  to  the 
site  of  the  new  building.  A  hymn  was  sung,  prayer  offered  by 
Rev.  Mesick,  and  the  pastor,  after  the  usual  service,  exhibited, 
and  then  deposited  in  the  corner-stone,  Bible,  Catechism  of  the 
General  Synod  of  the  Lutheran  church,  Catechism  of  the  German 
Reformed  church,  list  of  contributors,  pastor,  building  committee, 
elders,  deacons,  and  members  of  the  church,  names  of  President 
of  United  States  and  Governor  of  Pennsylvania,  county  papers, 
Lutheran  Observe?-,  Minutes  of  1849  °f  the  Synod  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. The  doxology  was  sung,  and  the  benediction  pronounced 
by  Rev.  Hay. 

This  church  was  dedicated  February  2,  1851,  Rev.  Stoever 
and  Rev.  Schneck,  of  Chambersburg,  conducting  the  dedicatory 
services.  Rev.  A.  H.  Lochman,  of  York,  preached  the  morning 
sermon ;  Rev.  Schneck  preached  in  the  evening ;  Rev.  Calder, 
appointed  missionary  to  China,  also  preached  in  the  evening, 
and  Rev.  Hiester  on  Monday  evening.  Rev.  C.  F.  Stoever 
continued  to  serve  as  pastor  of  this  church  until  about  Septem- 
ber 1,  1852,  serving  it  in  connection  with  churches  at  Sandy 
Hollow,  Wenrich's  (near  Linglestown)  and  Shoop's  church. 
Rev.  C.  Nitterauer  succeeded  him,  but  remained  only  about  a 
year.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  Geo.  J.  Martz,  who  served  until 
the  latter  part  of  1867  or  the  beginning  of  1868. 

In  September,  1867,  this  congregation  severed  its  connection 
with  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania,  and  was  received  by  the  Synod 
of  East  Pennsylvania  at  its  convention  in  Pottsville.  Rev.  Martz 
was  followed  as  pastor  by  Rev.  H.  D.  Kutz  in  1868,  who  resigned 
October  24,  1869.  The  connection  of  this  church  with  the  other 
churches — Wenrich's,  Sandy  Hollow  and  Shoop's — terminated 
with  Rev.  Kutz's  pastorate.  Rev.  D.  P.  Rosenmiller  then  became 
pastor,  and  served  until  his  death,  September  25,  1880.  Follow- 
ing Rev.  Rosenmiller,  Rev.  H.  A.  Letterman  became  pastor  in 


178  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

October,  1882.  He  was  the  first  minister  who  resided  in  Dauphin 
as  pastor  of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  served  a  few  years,  but  the 
burden  of  supporting  a  pastor  alone  rested  heavily  on  the  church 
and  led  to  some  difficulties  from  which  it  has  not  yet  rallied. 
Rev.  M.  L.  Heisler  came  in  June,  1886,  and  has  served  as  reg- 
ular supply  to  the  present  time. 

The  original  church  edifice,  erected  in  1850,  is  still  in  a  very 
good  condition,  and,  owing  to  the  present  very  gloomy  industrial 
outlook  of  the  town,  will  satisfy  all  demands  for  years  to  come. 
There  has  never  been  a  parsonage  attached  to  this  church,  and  it 
may  be  added  that  it  has  never  for  any  length  of  time  indulged  in 
any  attachments  of  the  kind  that  require  legal  interference  for  their 
dissolution.  Whenever  a  debt  was  contracted,  at  once  efforts  were 
made  to  liquidate  it  by  special  subscription.  For  instance,  the 
building  after  completion  was  soon  cleared  ;  the  property  has 
been  kept  in  good  repair,  and  usually  the  money  for  repairs  has 
been  ready  when  needed  or  soon  after  repairs  were  completed. 

No  regular  records  of  benevolent  contributions  appear,  though  a 
few  notices  of  synodical  collections  averaging  in  the  earlier  days 
$7.ooor  $8.00.  In  1868  Rev.  McKnight  visited  the  congregation  in 
behalf  of  Pennsylvania  College  and  collected  $33.00.  In  1878  the 
old  bell  was  exchanged  for  a  new  one  costing  in  position  over 
$230.00,  the  difference  being  promptly  paid.  In  1880  the  church 
was  re-painted,  carpeted,  new  blinds  and  lamps  and  fixtures  put  in, 
costing  $241.16.  In  1883  a  new  tin  roof  was  put  on,  costing 
$162.50.  In  1889  the  church  was  papered,  pulpit  lowered,  silver 
contribution  plates  procured,  new  blinds  and  new  pulpit  furniture 
at  a  cost  of  $76.26,  and  the  Sunday-school  room  repaired  and  neatly 
carpeted,  costing  $60. co.  These  are  given  as  evidences  that  the 
people  have  willingly  paid  to  keep  the  house  of  God  in  good 
order. 

The  church  has  contributed  regularly  since  1886  to  the  various 
objects  of  benevolence  of  Synod.  The  amounts  though  small  and 
scattered  among  various  objects  have  always  been  freely  given. 
The  pastor's  salary  has  averaged  all  through  the  years  of  its  his- 
tory about  $300.00. 

The  preaching  has  always  been  in  the  English  language,  with 
the  exception  of  a  German  sermon  at  rare  intervals.    No  German 


SKETCHES    OF   CONGREGATIONS.  I  79 

Reformed  pastor  ever  regularly  served  the  German  Reformed 
part.  Several  visits  were  made  by  different  ministers  of  that 
church,  but  their  efforts  soon  lapsed  and  the  German  Reformed 
interest  was  by  tacit  consent,  or  rather  by  default,  merged  into  the 
Lutheran,  though  the  deed  of  the  church  property  is  to  the  joint 
Lutheran  and  German  Reformed  congregations.  Such  persons  in 
the  community  as  have  any  special  interest  in  the  Reformed 
church  by  virtue  of  early  training  or  preference  are  now,  and  have 
been  for  years,  identified  with  the  Presbyterian  church  of  the  town. 

The  church  has  no  indebtedness,  and  the  property  is  worth  be- 
tween $2,000.00  and  $3,000.00.  It  cost  over  $2,900.00,  and  by  care 
and  prompt  repairs  and  improvements  has  maintained  its  value  and 
could  not  be  replaced  for  the  amount  of  the  original  cost.  Ex- 
penses are  met  by  penny  and  special  collections  and  by  the 
efforts  of  the  Ladies'  Mite  Society. 

The  Sabbath-school  is  small,  and  better  furnished  than  the 
number  of  scholars  would  actually  require.  It  has  borne  lately 
the  bulk  of  the  calls  for  objects  of  benevolence.  Few  church 
papers  are  taken.  Several  copies  of  the  Missionary  Journal  and 
about  eight  copies  of  the  Lutheran  Observer  are  circulated  among 
the  little  handful  of  members  still  left. 

The  membership,  by  death  and  removals,  is  dwindling  in  num- 
ber, until  the  question  of  the  survival  of  the  church  is  assuming 
a  perplexing  interest.  The  membership  now  is  about  thirty-five, 
with  a  loss  of  seven  within  a  month. 

The  industries  of  the  place  are  dead.  The  young  men  are 
scattered  all  over  the  country  in  the  bridge-building  gangs  of  the 
various  bridging  firms  of  this  and  other  states.  The  influences  of 
such  a  life  do  not  tend  to  lead  these  young  men  to  take  an  active 
interest  in  the  home  churches,  even  when  they  are  at  home  for  a 
time.  Yet  the  faithful  still  work  on,  hoping  for  a  change  to  better 
things. 

XXXIII.     SECOND  STREET  CHURCH,  COLUMBIA,  LAN- 
CASTER COUNTY. 

BY  REV.  WILLIS  S.  HINMAN. 

The  history  of  Lutheranism  in  Columbia  dates  from  the  year 
1805,  when  Salem    Lutheran   (German)   church  was  organized. 


180  EAST   PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

The  first  English  service  was  held  in  the  German  church  on  July 
i,  1849,  when  Rev.  J.  H.  Menges  preached  to  five  persons. 
English  services  continued  to  be  held  monthly  in  the  German 
church  until  February  5,  1850,  when  an  English  organization  was 
effected  by  a  small  but  earnest  band,  and  in  the  spring  of  the 
same  year  the  corner-stone  of  a  new  English  Lutheran  church  was 
laid  on  the  site  of  the  present  edifice.  Rev.  J.  H.  Menges  con- 
tinued as  the  pastor. 

In  1859  the  congregation  withdrew  from  the  Pennsylvania 
Synod  and  united  with  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod.  At  that 
time  there  were  nearly  200  members,  and  a  Sunday-school  of 
about  400  scholars.  In  the  following  year  Rev.  J.  H.  Menges 
resigned,  and  from  April  1,  i860,  to  the  present  time  the  church 
has  been  served  by  the  following  pastors  :  i860- 1863,  Rev.  E. 
Dorsey  ;  1863-1865,  Rev.  C.  Reimensnyder ;  1865-1870,  Rev. 
W.  H.  Steck;  1870-18 74,  Rev.  G.  M.  Rhodes;  1875-1877,  Rev. 
I.C.  Burke;  1877-1881,  Rev.  F.  W.  Staley  ;  1881-1888,  Rev. 
W.  P.  Evans.  The  present  pastor,  Rev.  Willis  S.  Hinman,  began 
his  duties  June  10,  1888. 

The  church's  history  during  this  period  has  been  a  varied  one, 
with  alternating  lights  and  shadows.  In  1875,  during  the  pastor- 
ate of  Rev.  I.  C.  Burke,  the  church  was  enlarged  and  improved 
at  a  cost  of  $10,000.00,  one-half  of  which  amount  was  unprovided 
for,  and  remained  for  many  years  a  heavy  burden  to  the  congre- 
gation. 

It  was  doubtless  out  of  this  financial  trouble  and  circumstances 
connected  with  it,  that  differences  arose  in  the  congregation  which 
culminated  in  a  disruption  in  the  spring  of  1881,  when  nearly  half 
of  the  members  withdrew,  including  several  of  the  church  council, 
and  organized  a  new  congregation  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Rev. 
Samuel  Yingling.  The  pastor  of  the  old  congregation,  Rev.  F. 
W.  Staley,  also  resigned  at  the  same  time.  After  its  organization 
the  new  congregation,  being  refused  membership  in  the  East 
Pennsylvania  Synod,  applied  to  the  Pennsylvania  Synod  (General 
Council)  and  was  received  into  that  body,  in  which  connection  it 
still  remains. 

The  old  congregation,  left  with  only  about  150  members,  and  a 
Sunday-school  of  only  about  125,  and  burdened  with  a  debt  of 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  161 

nearly  $6,000.00,  though  discouraged  was  not  disheartened,  and 
with  a  band  of  determined  and  faithful  people  took  up  the  work 
with  vigor  and  hope.  A  new  pastor,  Rev.  W.  P.  Evans,  was  called 
at  once,  who  proved  an  earnest  and  efficient  leader  of  the  re-organ- 
ized forces.  During  his  pastorate  the  heavy  debt  was  finally  can- 
celed on  March  18,  1887.  A  special  jubilee  service  was  held,  at 
which  several  addresses  were  made  by  local  and  visiting  clergy- 
men, and  the  canceled  bonds  and  mortgages  were  publicly  burned. 
The  congregation  now  numbered  225  members,  and  the  Sunday- 
day-school  300. 

During  the  period  spent  in  raising  the  debt  nothing  had  been 
done  to  the  church  building,  and  it  was  now  very  much  in  need 
of  repairs.  After  about  a  year's  rest,  during  which  time  Rev. 
W.  P.  Evans  had  resigned,  and  the  present  pastor,  Rev.  Willis  S. 
Hinman,  had  succeeded  him,  the  needed  work  was  undertaken, 
and  completed  at  a  cost  of  about  $1,500.00,  all  of  which  was  paid 
on  completion  of  the  work.  The  congregation  had  never  had  a 
parsonage,  and  in  the  summer  of  the  following  year,  1889,  a 
handsome  brick  parsonage  was  erected  on  a  lot  owned  by  the 
congregation,  adjoining  the  church,  at  an  expense  of  nearly 
$4,000.00.  In  the  fall  of  1892  the  lecture-room  of  the  church  was 
re-modeled  at  an  expenditure  of  $1,200.00,  and  was  re-dedicated 
November  20th,  1892. 

During  the  struggle  for  the  liquidation  of  the  debt  and  the  work 
of  repairing  and  building,  there  was  no  diminution  in  the  contri- 
butions for  the  support  of  the  church.  On  the  contrary,  the. 
salaries  of  the  servants  of  the  congregation  have  several  times 
been  increased,  and  the  offerings  for  synodical  and  other  benevo- 
lent objects  have  constantly  increased  from  year  to  year.  Indeed, 
the  record  of  this  congregation,  especially  since  1881,  is  one  of 
which  the  church  may  well  be  proud.  The  membership  has 
grown  to  280,  and,  in  addition  to  the  services  held  in  the  church, 
a  Sunday-school  of  about  80  members  is  maintained  in  the  chapel 
at  Kinderhook,  about  two  miles  from  town,  by  some  members  of 
the  congregation  who  live  in  that  vicinity. 


152  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

XXXIV.    PALMYRA  CHARGE,  LEBANON  COUNTY— PAL- 
MYRA AND  BELLEGROVE. 

BY    REV.  D.  R.  BECKER. 

i.  Christ  Church,  Bellegrove. 

The  church  at  this  place  was  erected  in  1850,  under  the  admin- 
istration of  Rev.  A.  C.  Wedekind.  It  is  beautifully  located  and 
well-built.  The  congregation,  which  now  numbers  125,  has 
been  served  by  the  pastors  of  various  neighboring  charges.  Rev. 
J.  M.  Deitzler  served  for  about  a  year  in  1856.  Rev.  Christian 
A.  Fetzer  was  pastor  from  i860  to  1863,  and  Rev.  J.  M.  Deitzler 
from  1865  to  1892,  when  the  congregation  was  united  with  the  re- 
cently organized  church  at  Palmyra  to  form  the  Palmyra  charge. 
Rev.  D.  R.  Becker  was  then  called,  and  entered  upon  labor  in 
the  united  pastorate  September  18,  1892. 

2.  St.  John's  Church,  Palmyra. 

This  congregation,  composed  of  members  formerly  belonging 
to  surrounding  General  Council  and  General  Synod  churches,  was 
regularly  organized  June  19,  1890.  The  following  persons  con- 
stituted the  inchoate  organization  :  John  Bordner,  Martin  Early 
and  wife,  Sarah,  Dr.  M.  R.  Fisher  and  wife,  Marion  C,  Amos 
Henning,  John  Hippie,  Hannah  Horstich,  Sarah  Horst,  D.  B. 
Leslie  and  wife,  Mary,  with  daughters,  Alice  C,  and  Anna  L., 
John  A.  Ricker  and  wife,  Malinda,  Henry  U.  Seltzer  and  wife, 
Anna,  John  R.  Seltzer,  Jacob  Snoke,  C.  F.  Zimmerman  and  wife, 
Lizzie,  and  Levi  Zimmerman. 

The  first  Church  Council  of  this  congregation  was  duly  in- 
stalled by  Rev.  M.  H.  Stine,  of  Lebanon.  It  consisted  of  John 
Bordner,  Martin  Early,  and  Dr.  M.  R.  Fisher,  trustees ;  John  A. 
Ricker  and  Amos  Henning  (secretaiy),  deacons,  and  Henry  U. 
Seltzer  and  Jacob  Snoke,  elders.  D.  B.  Leslie  was  the  acting 
chairman.  The  congregation  was  received  into  the  East  Penn- 
sylvania Synod  September  19,  1890,  while  in  convention  at  Co- 
lumbia. From  the  time  of  organization  until  fall  the  congrega- 
gation  worshiped  fortnightly  in  the  Academy,  paying  a  rental  fee 
of  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  for  each  service.     During  the  winter 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  1 83 

they  worshiped  in  the  United  Brethren  church,  paying  the  same 
fee.  In  the  spring  of  1891  they  returned  to  the  Academy,  and 
there,  April  26,  organized  a  Sabbath-school  with  a  membership 
of  twenty-eight.     Dr.  Fisher  was  elected  superintendent. 

The  convention  of  the  Lebanon  Conference  in  the  Academy, 
April  20-22,  1 89 1,  gave  recognition,  stability,  and  manifest  im- 
petus to  the  newly-formed  congregation.  The  trustees,  together 
with  Jacob  Snoke  and  Levi  Zimmerman,  constituted  the  Building 
Committee.  They  chose  as  their  treasurer  Simon  L.  Gingrich. 
The  auspicious  outlook  for  the  incipient  congregation  prompted 
the  committee  to  look  for,  as  well  as  secure,  an  appropriate  lot 
on  which  to  erect  a  house  of  worship.  In  this  they  were  not  un- 
successful, for  on  the  8th  of  July,  1890,  they  procured  from  Peter 
B.  Witmer,  for  the  sum  of  six  hundred  dollars,  a  suitable  and  de- 
sirable site.  The  work  of  excavation  and  foundation  was  begun 
in  the  fall,  but  discontinued  during  the  winter.  In  early  spring  it 
was  resumed,  and  May  27,  1891,  the  corner-stone  was  laid. 
The  officiating  clergy  were  Revs.  W.  H.  Lewars  and  W.  H.  Dun- 
bar. Henceforth  the  work  progressed  steadily  until  May  29, 
1892,  when  the  neat,  substantial  stone  structure  was  dedicated 
to  the  service  of  God.  The  acting  pastor,  Rev.  W.  H.  Lewars, 
was  assisted  by  Revs.  M.  H.  Stine,  J.  M.  Deitzler,  W.  H.  Dunbar 
and  R.  W.  Hufford,  D.  D.,  President  of  Synod,  who  preached 
the  dedicatory  sermon. 

The  success  and  steady  growth  of  this  congregation  is  due  in 
great  measure  to  the  energy  and  tact  of  their  acting  pastor,  Rev. 
W.  H.  Lewars,  of  Annville,  in  honor  of  whom  the  members  pro- 
cured and  placed  in  commanding  position  a  memorial  window  as 
a  token  of  great  respect  and  high  appreciation. 

The  present  incumbent  received  an  invitation  to  preach  for 
both  the  Bellegrove  congregation  and  the  Palmyra  congregation, 
July  10,  1892.  The  two  Church  Councils  mutually  agreed,  July 
18,  to  accept  the  recommendation  of  Synod,  published  1891,  and 
form  one  pastorate.  They  elected  their  present  pastor  Aug- 
ust 7.  He  accepted  their  call,  and  entered  upon  his  ministerial 
duties  in  the  Palmyra  pastorate  September  18,  1892.  This  pas- 
torate receives  aid  from  the  "  Lutheran  Missionary  and  Church 
Extension  Society  of  the  Lebanon  Conference  "  to  the  amount  of 


184  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

two  hundred  dollars.  The  membership  of  this  congregation  at 
this  writing  is  thirty-three.  As  recently  as  November  17  a 
Woman's  Home  and  Foreign  Missionary  Society  was  organized, 
with  ten  members.  Existing  circumstances  and  present  outlook 
augur  well  for  this  congregation. 


XXXV.     RIEGELSVILLE    CHARGE,    BUCKS    COUNTY.— 
RIEGELSVILLE  AND  RAUBSVILLE. 

BY    REV.  C.  L.  FLECK. 

i.  St.  Peter's  Church,  Riegelsville. 

The  history  of  the  Riegelsville  congregation,  as  an  organization, 
dates  from  about  1851.  Previous  to  this  time,  however,  there 
was  preaching  in  this  locality  by  Lutheran  and  Reformed  minis- 
ters in  the  school-house,  which  building  was  afterward  constructed 
into  a  dwelling  and  is  yet  used  as  such.  While  there  is  no  church 
record  to  this  effect,  it  is  the  general  testimony  of  those  who  can 
distinctly  recall  the  events  of  that  date,  that  there  was  preaching 
here  in  1850  on  Sunday  afternoon,  by  Rev.  J.  McCron,  who  was 
at  that  time  pastor  of  what  was  then  called  the  "Straw  church" 
(now  St.  James')  in  New  Jersey.  A  private  record  gives  the 
information  that  there  was  preaching  as  early  as  January  27,  1850, 
by  Rev.  Geo.  Diehl,  of  Easton,  and  by  Rev.  McCron  on  March 
24  of  the  same  year. 

From  this  and  other  intelligence  given,  it  would  seem  fair  to 
suppose  that  these  brethren,  both  of  whom  are  now  "  at  rest,"  had 
a  mutual  understanding  as  to  looking  after  the  interests  of  the 
Lutheran  church  in  this  place.  It  was  in  this  year  that  the  Lu- 
theran and  Reformed  people  of  this  vicinity  joined  hands  and 
erected  a  church  building,  in  which  they  were  to  worship  alter- 
nately. The  work  was  begun  in  April,  and  the  church  was  dedi- 
cated January  1 ,  1 85 1 . 

Rev.  McCron  left  no  record  of  ministerial  acts,  but  evidently  he 
was  interested  in  this  people  and  in  their  new  enterprise,  for  his 
name  is  engraved  or  moulded  on  the  church  bell.  After  the 
church  was  built  he  preached  here  from  January  to  April,  after 
which  Rev.  Diehl's  services  were  rendered  until  July.     It  seems, 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  1 85 

however,  that  the  latter  served  as  a  regular  pastor,  for  the  minutes 
speak  of  him  as  presiding  over  a  meeting  of  the  officers  of  the  con- 
gregation, which  assembled  June  3,  1851,  for  the  purpose  of  call- 
ing a  pastor,  which  call  they  wished  to  have  accepted  "  after  the 
resignation  of  our  present  pastor,  Rev.  Geo.  Diehl,  shall  go  into 
effect ;"  and  baptisms  are  recorded  and  referred  to  as  "adminis- 
tered by  the  former  pastor,  viz.  :  Rev.  Geo.  Diehl  of  Easton."  At 
some  time  during  this  interval,  an  organization  was  effected,  but 
there  is  no  reference  to  the  fact  more  than  that  a  Constitution 
was  adopted  May  20,  1850. 

The  "Call,"  previously  mentioned,  was  sent  to  Rev.  J.  R.  Wil- 
lox,  who  had  preached  June  1,  and  was  accepted.  Rev.  Willox 
labored  in  this  field  about  ten  years,  with  diligence  and  accepta- 
bility. He  faithfully  catechised  the  young  and  was  accustomed 
to  hold  "protracted  meetings."  He  preached  at  Finesville, 
Raubsville  and  Holland  as  outposts.  Soon  after  entering  upon 
his  work  here,  he  organized  the  Upper  Tinicum  congregation, 
where  a  church  was  built  in  1852.  This  point  was  served  in  con- 
nection with  Riegelsville  until  1891.  In  1856  a  sore  affliction 
befell  his  family,  when  in  thirty-four  days  four  of  his  children  died 
from  scarlet  fever.  Being  the  first  regular  pastor  on  this  territory, 
the  work  was  found  difficult  and  discouraging ;  nevertheless  it 
was  pursued  with  fidelity  and  hopefulness,  and  with  much  prayer 
and  sacrifice  he  sowed  the  seed,  that  then  and  afterward  brought 
forth  an  abundant  harvest. 

In  October,  1861,  Rev.  C.  L.  Keedy  was  elected  pastor,  who 
served  the  charge  one  year.  Rev.  Nathan  Jaeger  was  the  next 
pastor  chosen.  He  entered  upon  his  duties  in  March,  1863. 
In  November  of  the  same  year,  whilst  driving  to  Easton,  he  was 
thrown  from  his  buggy,  and  fatally  injured.  He  died  January  2, 
1864,  aged  forty- three  years,  and  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  at 
Riegelsville. 

In  May,  1864,  Rev.  Theophilus  Heilig,  of  Stroudsburg,  became 
pastor.  His  time  of  service  was  twelve  years  and  four  months. 
At  some  time  during  this  period  the  present  parsonage  was 
bought  for  $3,200.00.  It  is  a  very  desirable  property,  a  pleasant 
home,  and  a  most  commendable  monument  to  the  efforts  of  those 
who  shared  in  its  purchase. 


1 86  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

In  1 87 1,  although  the  two  congregations  had  been  worship- 
ing together  in  comparative  peace,  there  was  a  growing  desire  to 
separate;  consequently  on  January  20,  1872,  at  a  congregational 
meeting,  it  was  resolved  to  accept  the  offer  of  the  sister  denom- 
ination, and  to  purchase  the  right  and  title  of  the  Reformed 
congregation  in  the  church  building  and  lot.  The  amount  paid 
was  $2,200.00. 

Another  important  event  in  the  history  of  this  charge  took 
place  during  this,  period.  It  was  customary  to  elect  a  delegate 
to  accompany  the  pastor  to  the  annual  meetings  of  the  East 
Pennsylvania  Synod;  but  on  May  28,  1876,  a  delegate  was 
elected  to  attend  the  Pennsylvania  Ministerium,  to  assemble  at 
Reading,  June  10.  This  is  the  first  and  only  mention  of  a  dele- 
gate to  this  body.  The  minutes  record  no  action  of  the  congre- 
gation in  effecting  this  synodical  change,  and  that  it  was  done 
contrary  to  their  desire  is  shown  by  subsequent  action ;  for  on 
November  12,  after  a  four  weeks'  notice,  the  congregation  as- 
sembled, and,  by  a  vote  of  thirty-three  to  two,  decided  to  "return 
to  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod,  where  they  formerly  belonged." 

Rev.  Heilig  resigned  August  27,  1876,  and  Rev.  D.  T.  Koser 
became  his  successor,  April  1,  1877.  He  served  the  charge  until 
May  1,  1887.  These  were  years  of  faithful  labor,  and  resulted  in 
the  general  upbuilding  of  the  charge  in  membership,  in  benev- 
olence, and  in  general  efficiency. 

In  1878  the  church  was  repaired,  principally  the  exterior,  at  a 
cost  of  about  $1,300.00.  This  was  the  result  of  a  congregational 
meeting,  which  took  place  on  March  9,  1878,  and  was  held  to 
consider  the  question  of  repairing  the  old  church  or  building  a 
new  one.  Although  there  was  a  goodly  number  that  favored  the 
building  of  a  new  church,  those  who  thought  best  to  repair  pre- 
vailed. 

The  church  property  was  further  increased  in  value,  about  this 
time,  by  the  securing  of  a  lot  of  ground  near  by,  where  quite  a 
number  of  sheds  have  been  erected  by  individual  members,  at 
their  own  expense,  to  afford  protection  to  their  teams  in  inclement 
weather.  In  1861  the  basement  of  the  church  was  re-modeled  at 
a  considerable  expense,  being  made  much  more  cheerful  and 
much  better  adapted  to  efficient  Sabbath-school  work.     It  was 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


I87 


arranged  so  as  to  give  the  school  the  benefit  of  four  different 
apartments. 

It  was  during  Rev.  Koser's  term  of  service  that  the  Riegelsville 
congregation  united  with  St.  Paul's  Lutheran  church  of  Easton, 
and  ran  an  excursion  to  Ocean  Grove  and  Long  Branch,  which 
has  been  run  annually  up  to  this  date,  1892. 

In  July,  1887,  Rev.  C.  L.  Fleck,  of  the  Theological  Seminary  at 
Gettysburg,  became  Rev.  Koser's  successor.  The  charge  con- 
sisted of  the  same  points  as  that  served  by  former  pastors.  There 
was  to  be  preaching  at  Riegelsville  three  successive  Sundays  in 
the  month  in  the  morning,  at  Upper  Tinicum  every  fourth  Sun- 
day, and  at  Raubsville  every  two  weeks  in  the  afternoon. 

In  view  of  the  church  needing  some  repairs,  and  because  of  a 
desire  on  the  part  of  some  to  build  a  new  church,  a  meeting  was 


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ST.  PETER'S    EVANGELICAL    LUTHERAN    CHURCH,  RIEGELSVILLE,  PA. 

called  to  consider  the  matter  on  December  1,  1888,  almost  ten 
years  after  the  similar  meeting  above  referred  to.  After  carefully 
weighing  the  question,  it  was  decided  to  build  a  new  church. 
There  was  a  little  sentiment  in  favor  of  repairing  the  old  church, 
but  it  was  of  such  a  yielding  character,  that  it  can  be  said  with 
gratification  that  almost  perfect  unanimity  prevailed  throughout 


165  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

the  entire  time  of  building.  The  old  church  was  torn  down  early 
in  February,  immediately  after  it  was  vacated.  Work  was  began 
on  the  new  church  early  in  spring,  and  the  corner-stone  was  laid 
May  5,  1889.  A  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  R.  W.  Hufford,  of 
Easton,  and  remarks  made  by  Rev.  A.  R.  Steck,  of  Stewartsville, 
N.  J.  After  vacating  the  old  church,  the  congregation  rented  the 
G.  A.  R.  Hall,  which  was  destroyed  by  fire  a  few  weeks  after. 
The  loss  to  the  church  was  about  $200.00,  including  organ,  Sab- 
bath-school library,  clock,  etc.  They  then  secured  Mechanics' 
Hall,  where  they  worshiped  until  January  5,  1890,  when  the  lec- 
ture-room of  the  new  church  was  finished.  The  church  was  de- 
dicated September,  1890.  It  cost  over  $12,000.00,  besides  the 
material  used  from  the  old  church,  and  the  voluntary  assistance 
rendered  by  the  members,  in  removing  the  old  building,  prepar- 
ing the  foundation,  and  hauling  the  material,  etc.  The  architect 
was  Rev.  A.  K.  Felton,  of  the  Lutheran  church.  The  indebted- 
ness is  about  $2,000.00. 

AYhen  the  congregation  became  settled  in  their  new  home, 
there  was  a  desire  manifest  to  have  preaching  every  Sunday 
morning.  Accordingly  steps  were  taken  to  effect  such  an  ar- 
rangement, and  the  Upper  Tinicum  congregation  was  requested 
to  join  with  Nockamixon,  which  was  then  vacant,  and  form  a  new 
charge.  The  change  was  satisfactorily  made,  and  took  place  in 
June,  1 89 1,  with  the  understanding  that  it  should  not  affect  the 
pastor's  salary,  which  was  then  $700.00. 

The  Sunday-school  is  in  a  flourishing  condition.  Previous  to 
building  the  first  church,  and  while  the  two  congregations  wor- 
shiped together,  it  was  a  union  school.  It  is  now  larger  than 
both  were  then,  and  doing  much  more  efficient  work.  For  some 
years  it  has  given  a  large  proportion  of  its  contributions  to  be- 
nevolence. 

A  W.  H.  &  F.  M.  Society  was  organized  in  1886  by  Mrs.  D.  T- 
Koser,  and  has  been  doing  a  good  work.  It  numbers  about  50 
active  members  and  6  honorary,  and  circulates  at  present  67 
Missionary  Journals .  It  has  had  co-operating  with  it,  since  1888, 
a  faithful  little  Mission  Band. 

In  May,  1891,  a  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.  was  organized.  The  young 
people  are  deeply  interested  in  the  movement,  and  it  promises  to 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  1 89 

leave  telling  effects  for  good.     It  numbers  about   75  active  and 
associate  members. 

Some  twenty  Lutheran  Observers  are  taken  in  the  congregation. 
But  one  member  has  studied  for  the  ministry,  viz.  :  Samuel  T. 
Nicholas,  who  expects  to  graduate  from  the  Theological  Seminary 
at  Gettysburg,  in  May,  1893.  The  congregation  is  of  substantial 
growth,  and  promises  to  have  a  future  history  fully  as  creditable  as 
that  thus  far  recorded. 

2.  St.  Paul's  Church,  Raubsville  (Uhlersville). 

The  history  of  this  congregation  dates  from  January,  1854,  al- 
though there  was  preaching  in  the  schoo.-house  back  of  Raubsville 
by  Rev.  J.  R.  Willox  for  an  indefinite  period  previous  to  that 
time.  This  point  has  always  been  served  in  connection  with  the 
Riegelsville  church. 

On  the  afternoon  of  January  21,  1854,  a  few  members  of  the 
Lutheran  church  living  in  Uhlersville  and  vicinity  met  in  Peter 
Uhler's  school-house  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  themselves  into 
an  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church.  The  reason  given  was,  that 
there  was  no  church  of  their  own  faith  near  enough  for  them  to 
attend,  and  that  there  was  need  of  English  preaching  in  the 
neighborhood.  The  new  organization  was  to  be  connected  with 
the  General  Synod  Lutheran  Church,  and  with  the  Riegelsville 
charge,  which  was  served  at  that  time  by  Rev.  J.  R.  Willox.  It 
was  to  be  called  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  of  Uhlersville. 

Such  an  organization  was  effected,  and  on  Sunday  afternoon, 
January  22,  "immediately  after  the  services  of  public  worship," 
they  elected  church  officers — one  elder  and  two  deacons.  These 
were  regularly  installed  the  following  Sunday.  This  movement 
seems  to  have  been  entirely  satisfactory  to  the  Riegelsville  con- 
gregation, for  on  March  19,  1854,  a  meeting  of  the  Council  was 
held,  "  at  which  a  resolution  was  passed  unanimously  to  receive 
the  proposal  of  the  Uhlersville  congregation,  viz.,  that  they  pay 
$125.00  salary,  and  receive  preaching  twice  a  month,  once  in  the 
morning  and  once  in  the  afternoon."  Mention  is  made  of  the 
installation  of  church  officers  again  in  i860,  "the  only  change  in 
the  council  since  the  church  was  organized." 

There  is  no  account  of  officers  being  elected  after  that,  and  no 


19O  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

mention  is  made  in  the  minutes  of  the  Riegelsville  church  of  the 
Uhlersville  congregation  as  such  after  September  22,  1861,  when 
Rev.  C.  L.  Keedy  was  elected  pastor  of  the  charge.  The  two 
following  pastors  were  called  with  the  distinct  understanding  that 
they  were  to  preach  at  Riegelsville  "twice  a  month  in  the  morn- 
ing," and  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day  "at  such  other  place, 
or  places,  as  the  church  council  may  direct."  But  while  the 
organization,  for  some  unknown  reason,  ceased  to  exist,  there 
must  have  been  preaching  at  this  point  regularly,  for  there  is  an 
unbroken  record  of  ministerial  acts  performed  by  the  different 
pastors. 

The  school-house,  previously  referred  to,  was  used  as  a  place 
of  worship  for  over  thirty  years,  but,  it  having  become  unfit  for 
this  purpose,  it  was  decided,  by  those  who  were  accustomed  to 
worship  here,  to  build  a  new  church.  This  action  was  taken  in 
January,  1887.  The  new  building  was  to  be  located  at  Raubs- 
ville,  as  a  more  desirable  site  could  be  procured  at  that  place. 
The  corner-stone  was  laid  on  June  19,  the  former  pastor,  Rev.  D. 
T.  Koser,  returning  to  officiate  on  that  occasion.  He  was  also 
present  at  the  dedication  of  the  church,  January  22,  1888,  at 
which  time  Rev.  J.  H.  Menges,  of  Philadelphia,  solicited  contri- 
butions to  meet  the  indebtedness.  The  cost  of  the  church  was 
$3,600.00. 

A  few  years  later,  a  bell  was  purchased  at  a  cost  of  $190.00. 
When  the  bell  was  hung  in  the  place  designed  and  prepared  for 
it  when  the  church  was  building,  it  was  found  to  be  too  low  to 
sound  well  throughout  the  community.  To  obviate  this  it  was 
decided  by  the  congregation  to  build  a  steeple  somewhat  higher 
on  the  opposite  corner  of  the  church.  This  was  completed  and 
proved  much  more  satisfactory.  The  cost  of  the  improvement, 
and  re-painting  the  exterior  of  the  church,  was  over  $500.00. 
A  desire  was  now  manifest  on  the  part  of  the  members  to  organ- 
ize themselves  into  a  congregation,  remaining  however  a  part  of 
the  Riegelsville  charge.  For  this  purpose  a  committee  was  ap- 
pointed to  meet  the  council  at  Riegelsville  and  request  of  them 
an  honorable  dismissal  of  the  members  in  the  vicinity  of  Raubs- 
ville,  who  desired  to  become  members  of  the  new  organization. 
The  request  was  granted,  and  the  organization  was  effected,  and 


SKETCHES   OF   CONGREGATIONS.  191 

subsequently  was  admitted  into  East  Pennsylvania  Synod  as  a 
separate  congregation. 

There  has  been  a  Sunday-school  faithfully  conducted  in  the 
community  for  many  years.  Previous  to  the  building  of  the 
church  it  was  held  in  the  school-house,  sometimes  called  the 
"  Uhlersville  church."  During  these  days  it  was  a  union  school. 
But  when  they  entered  the  new  church  it  became  denominational. 

A  W.  H.  &  F.  M.  society  was  organized  October,  1888,  by 
Mrs.  C.  L.  Fleck,  which  continues  to  be  in  a  flourishing  con- 
dition. There  are  twenty-eight  members,  and  twenty-five  Mis- 
sionary Jo^^rnals  are  taken.  There  are  in  the  congregation  five 
subscribers  to  the  Lutheran  Observer.  Although  this  congrega- 
tion is  small,  it  is  in  a  fair  condition  to  be  of  great  usefulness. 


XXXVI.     MINERSVILLE  AND  TREMONT  CHARGE, 
SCHUYLKILL  CO. 

BY  REV.  J.  C.  TRAUGER. 

i.  English  Lutheran  Church,  Minersville. 

The  English  Evangelical  Lutheran  congregation  of  Minersville 
was  organized  in  1851.  The  following-named  brethren  consti- 
tuted the  first  council :  Elders :  Daniel  Hoch,  Isaac  Straub ; 
Deacons  :  Levi  Deitrich,  Joseph  Weaver. 

The  members  of  the  new  organization  withdrew  from  the  Ger- 
man Lutheran  church  on  account  of  a  strong  desire  for  English 
services,  which  were  prohibited  in  the  mother  church.  The  con- 
gregation first  worshiped  in  a  small  Baptist  church  on  South 
street,  then  in  what  was  known  as  "  Odd  Fellows'  Hall,"  on  the 
corner  of  South  (East)  and  Sunbury  streets.  They  were  supplied 
with  preaching  services  by  Rev.  Daniel  Steck,  the  resident  pastor 
of  Pottsville  English  Lutheran  church.  During  this  time  the 
present  church  building  was  erected  and,  in  the  autumn  of  1853, 
dedicated  to  the  Triune  God.  Daniel  Hoch,  Mrs.  Hoch  and 
Harriet  Straub  are  the  only  members  still  living  and  in  vital  con- 
nection with  the  present  congregation. 

The  first  regular  council  meeting  after  the  completion  of  the 
present  church  structure  took  place  on  November  20,  1853,  and 
they  decided  to  extend  a  call  to  Rev.  J.  K.  Kast  at  a  salary  of 


192  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

$325.00.  Rev.  Kast  accepted  the  call  and  became  the  first  pas- 
tor that  same  year.  His  ministry  with  this  infant  organization 
lasted  until  1855.  The  next  pastor  was  Rev.  Jacob  Steele,  who 
was  called  immediately  after  his  predecessor's  resignation,  and  re- 
mained until  March  3,  1857.  Rev.  M.  Sheeleigh  was  called 
August  3,  1857,  and  remained  to  July,  1859.  His  successor, 
Rev.  E.  A.  Auld,  entered  upon  his  duties  as  pastor  January  1,  i860, 
and  served  the  congregation  until  about  January  1,  1864.  Rev. 
H.  C.  Shindle  became  his  successor,  receiving  his  call  June  5, 
1864,  and  labored  in  their  midst  until  April  1,  1868.  Rev.  Chas. 
Fickinger  fell  in  line  September  1,  1869,  and  made  a  brief  stay 
up  to  September,  1870.  Rev.  R.  Weiser  inaugurated  his  ministry 
here  November  1,  1870,  and  continued  until  the  end  of  his  active 
service  for  the  Master,  May  28,  1872.  During  an  interim  here 
Rev.  J.  Q.  McAtee,  pastor  of  Pottsville  English  Lutheran  church, 
supplied  the  pulpit  every  couple  of  weeks  in  the  afternoon.  Rev. 
J.  B.  Anthony  was  the  next  regular  pastor,  from  June  1,  1874,  to 
November  21,  1875.  Rev.  McAtee,  of  Pottsville,  was  now  chosen 
as  their  officiating  clergyman,  serving  to  September,  1877.  Rev. 
A.  N.  Warner,  from  September  29,  1878,  when  called,  to  May  26, 
1879,  and  Rev.  I.  P.  Neff,  March  29,  1880,  to  December  1,  1881, 
complete  the  list  of  administrations  up  to  the  time  when  a  union 
was  effected  with  Tremont  English  Lutheran  congregation.  The 
formation  of  these  two  churches  into  a  charge  began  under  Rev. 
I.  P.  Neff.  The  first  pastor  called  by  the  joint  councils  was  Rev. 
Washington  L.  Heisler,  and  his  ministry  with  this  persevering  con- 
gregation extends  over  a  period  of  four  years,  from  February  1 1 , 
1883,  until  February  1,  1887.  Rev.  G.  G.  M.  Brown  took  charge 
August  15,  1888,  and  remained  a  little  over  a  year,  up  to  Decem- 
ber 1,  1889.  Rev.  J.  C.  Trauger  received  his  call  in  February 
1890,  took  charge  on  July  1  of  the  same  year,  and  is  still  labor- 
ing with  these  kind  and  liberal  people. 

The  congregation  has  a  membership  of  about  1 20,  and  an  active 
membership  of  about  106.  There  are  about  25  Lutheran  Ob- 
servers taken  and  all  use  the  Augsburg  Lesson  Helps  in  Sunday- 
school  work. 

2.  St.  John's  Church,  Tremont. 

St.  John's  English  Evangelical   Lutheran  church  of  Tremont, 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  1 93 

Pa.,  dates  back  for  its  origin  to  the  year  1853.  The  Lutheran 
congregation  then  organized  by  Rev.  E.  S.  Henry,  the  resident 
pastor  of  Pine  Grove,  consisted  of  sixteen  members,  of  whom 
only  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Zachariah  Batdorff  are  at  present  in  active 
membership. 

The  services  were  regularly  conducted  in  both  German  and 
English.  In  the  year  1855,  the  church  edifice,  in  which  the 
German  Lutheran  congregation  still  worships,  was  completed. 

In  the  year  1861,  the  German  part  of  the  Lutheran  congrega- 
tion organized  themselves  into  a  separate  congregation  and  called 
a  pastor.  The  English  part  did  likewise,  and  took  the  name  of 
St.  John's  English  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  of  Tremont. 
Both  congregations  lived  peaceably  with  each  other  and  worshiped 
in  the  same  building  until  1866,  when  St.  John's  congregation 
sold  their  interest  in  the  church  which  they  held  in  part  with  the 
Presbyterians.  They  then  bought  the  so-called  "stone  church," 
now  the  commodious  place  of  worship  of  the  St.  John's  English 
Lutheran  congregation.  This  church  building  had  been  originally 
commenced  (about  1848)  as  a  union  church,  Lutheran  and  Re- 
formed, but,  as  the  old  Presbyterian  church  completed  by  the 
Lutherans  before,  so  this  stood  in  an  unfinished  state,  awaiting 
Lutheran  hands  to  complete  the  work.  This  church  the  St. 
John's  congregation  purchased  and  began  to  finish  in  1866.  An 
agreement  was  entered  into  with  Z.  Batdorff  to  complete  its  erec- 
tion, after  which  the  congregation  was  to  purchase  the  same. 

The  first  council  recorded,  which  held  its  first  meeting  Janu- 
ary 15,  i860,  was  composed  of  the  following  brethren,  and  held 
their  first  meeting  January  15,  i860  : 

Elders — Isaac  H.  Alter,  William  R.  Reece  ;  deacons — Chris- 
tian Lawer,  John  E.  Lehman  ;  trustees — John  A.  Seltzer,  Jacob 
Gruber,  Jr.,  Frederic  Wolfe.  In  all  probability  there  were  coun- 
cils before,  and  many  meetings,  but  the  minutes  have  been 
destroyed  or  lost.  The  first  pastor  was  Rev.  S.  Jesse  Berlin. 
He  was  elected  in  December,  and  entered  upon  his  duties  Feb- 
ruary 1,  1867.  During  the  ministry  of  this  faithful  brother  the 
congregation  was  brought  into  regular  connection  with  the  East 
Pennsylvania  Synod  of  the  General  Synod.  Rev.  Berlin,  being  in 
delicate   health,  was  forced   to    resign  October   1,  of  the  same 


194  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

year.  He  remained  in  Tremont  until  his  decease,  which 
occurred  February  6,  1868,  at  the  early  age  of  thirty-seven  years. 
The  church  edifice  was  not  completed  until  1868,  and  was  then 
deeply  involved  in  debt.  The  consecration  services  were  held 
January  1,  1869,  Rev.  F.  W.  Conrad,  D.  D.,  of  Philadelphia, 
preaching  the  sermon,  being  assisted  by  Rev.  E.  S.  Henry,  of  Pine 
Grove,  and  the  pastor.  The  pastor  during  this  time  was  Rev. 
Frederick  Klinefelter,  of  Philadelphia.  He  took  charge  January 
1,  1868,  and  resigned  about  January  1,  1872.  Rev.  Henry  C. 
Grossman  was  extended  a  call  from  the  congregation  on  March  2, 
1873,  and  accepted.  His  labors  extended  over  a  period  of  three 
years,  to  March  2,  1876.  Brother  Grossman's  successor  was 
Rev.  Henry  L.  Box.  He  formally  accepted  May  31,  1876,  and 
resigned  October  26,  1878.  During  the  interim  which  followed, 
Rev.  G.  J.  Martz,  of  Lebanon,  and  Rev.  I.  P.  Neff,  of  Minersville, 
supplied  the  congregation  with  preaching.  On  July  31,  1881, 
after  services,  Rev.  I.  P.  Neff  officiating,  it  was  decided  to  an- 
nounce services  every  two  weeks,  provided  it  was  agreeable  to 
Minersville,  where  Rev.  Neff  was  the  pastor.  This  was  the  origin 
of  the  present  union  of  the  St.  John's  Lutheran  congregation  of 
Tremont  with  the  English  Lutheran  of  Minersville  in  a  single 
charge.  On  December  1,  in  the  same  year,  Mr.  Neff  removed  to 
Shenandoah,  leaving  Tremont  and  Minersville  congregations 
vacant.  They  now  proceeded  jointly  to  call  a  pastor.  Rev.  W.  L. 
Heisler,  who  was  thus  elected,  took  up  his  abode  in  Tremont, 
February  11,  1883,  and  served  these  earnest  people  until  Feb- 
ruary 1,  1887.  Rev.  G.  G.  M.  Brown,  who  was  next  called,  took 
charge  August  11,  1888,  and  worked  for  the  building  up  of  the 
charge  with  great  energy  and  zeal  until  December  1,  1889.  In 
February,  1890,  the  present  pastor  received  the  call  to- carry  on 
the  work,  so  faithfully  begun  and  carried  on  hitherto.  He  has  for 
two  years  and  a  half  labored  with  pleasure  and  encouragement 
among  this  Christian  people,  both  at  Tremont  and  Minersville. 
The  membership  at  Tremont  at  present  is  89  members  in  good 
and  regular  standing.  There  are  20  Lutheran  Obsen>ers  taken 
in  this  congregation,  and  the  Sunday-school  is  prosperous,  using 
the  Augsburg  Lesson  Helps. 


SKETCHES   OF    CONGREGATIONS.  1  95 

XXXVII.     ZION  CHURCH,  LYKENS,  DAUPHIN  COUNTY. 

BY   REV.  P.  S.  HOOPER. 

The  first  minister  who  represented  the  Lutheran  church  in  this 
vicinity  was  Rev.  C.  F.  Stoever,  who  preached  occasionally  in 
Lykens  and  the  neighboring  town  of  Wiconisco.  He  was  on  the 
Berrysburg  charge  from  1845  to  1850.  Rev.  N.  Jeager,  the  next 
pastor  on  the  same  charge,  effected  an  organization  of  the  congre- 
gation at  Lykens  and  Wiconisco,  remaining  from  1850  to  1852. 
He  was  followed  by  Rev.  J.  Martin,  who  did  not  preach  at  either 
Lykens  or  Wiconisco — devoting  his  whole  time  to  the  work  in 
the  Berrysburg  pastorate.  This  continued,  however,  only  one 
year;  for  on  November  2,  1853,  Rev.  D.  Sell  took  charge  of  the 
Berrysburg  pastorate — and  gave  much  of  his  time  to  this  field. 
After  consolidating  the  membership  of  the  two  towns — Lykens 
and  Wiconisco — he  proceeded  to  erect  a  house  of  worship  in  Ly- 
kens. This  building  v/as  a  substantial  brick  structure  in  which 
the  congregation  worshiped  for  about  a  generation.  It  was  built 
in  1859.  Mr.  Sell  remained  the  pastor  until  April  1,  1861. 
Rev.  P.  P.  Lane  next  came  in  charge,  on  April  1,  1861,  and  re- 
mained one  year — to  April  1,  1862.  The  next  was  Rev.  G.  P. 
Weaver,  who  took  charge  April  1,  1862,  and  also  remained  only 
one  year,  resigning  April  1,  1863.  Rev.  C.  A.  Fetzer  entered  the 
field  and  took  up  the  work  April  1,  1863.  He  served  the  charge 
until  April  1,  1866.  Next  came  Rev.  M.  Fernsler,  who  arrived 
on  the  Berrysburg  charge  December  2,  1866,  remaining  until  April 
1,  1 87 1,  at  which  time  Lykens  and  Williamstown  were  made  a  sep- 
arate charge,  afterwards  called  the  "Lykens  Charge,"  which  was 
served  by  Rev.  D.  Kloss  from  April  1,  1871,  to  April  1,  1877. 
Rev.  J.  A.  Wirt  arrived  and  took  charge  June  1,  1877.  He  was 
succeeded  May  15,  1883,  by  Rev.  M.  L.  Heisler,  after  whom  came 
Rev.  W.  H.  Fishburn,  June  1,  1886.  Previous  to  the  giving  of 
the  call  to  Mr.  Fishburn,  the  partnership  of  the  two  congregations 
— Lykens  and  Williamstown — was  dissolved,  each  place  calling  its 
own  pastor.  Mr.  Fishburn  remained  in  charge  at  Lykens  eleven 
months,  and  was  followed,  July  10,  1887,  by  Rev.  Herman  F.  Kroh, 
who  remained  at  his- post  until  August,  1889,  when  he  resigned. 
Soon    afterward   a   call  was  extended  to  Rev.  Philip  Stansbury 


196 


EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 


Hooper,  the  present  pastor,  who  entered  upon  his  duties  January 
1,  1890.  During  his  pastorship,  the  old  church  edifice,  which  had 
well  served  its  generation,  was  torn  down  and  the  present  modern 
structure,  at  a  cost  of  about  $10,000.00,  was  erected  on  its  site, 
upon  which  there  remains  an  indebtedness  of  about  $2,000.00. 
A  good  parsonage  adjoins  the  church  lot. 

Preaching  was  formerly  in  German  and  English.  The  attempt 
to  dispense  with  the  German  occasioned  at  times  no  little  dis- 
turbance, but  the  present  pastor,  who  was  known  to  be  unable  to 
preach    German,  was   elected    with    only  one  dissenting   voice. 


ZION    EVANGELICAL   LUTHERAN    CHURCH,   LYKENS,  PA. 

Since  then,  no  German  sermon  has  been  preached,  and  there  is 
no  apparent  demand  for  any. 

There  are  four  societies,  Woman's  Home  and  Foreign  Mission- 
ary Society,  Young  People's  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor,  Junior 
Young  People's  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor,  and  Church  Aid 
Society. 

Sixty-eight  copies  of  the  Lutheran  Observer  are  taken,  six  of 
the  Lutheran  World,  four  of  the  Lutheran  Evangelist,  and  twenty 
of  the  Missionary  Journal. 

The  Sunday-school  numbers  about  300 — With  no  history  known 
to  the  present  pastor  of  great  value  to  posterity. 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  I97 

XXXVIII.  FIRST  CHURCH,  STEWARTSVILLE,  N.  J. 

BY  REV.  WM.  E.  FRY. 

Stewartsville  Lutheran  congregation  was  organized  in  the  year 
1852.  Rev.  James  McCron,  then  pastor  of  St.  James'  church  of 
Phillipsburg,  N.  J.,  deserves  credit  for  encouraging  some  of  his  own 
members,  who  lived  in  the  vicinity  of  Stewartsville,  to  form  a  sep- 
arate organization  and  build  a  church.  He,  and  afterwards  his 
successor,  Rev.  John  Plitt,  preached  once  in  two  weeks  in  the 
Stewartsville  school-house,  and  the  Presbyterian  minister  from 
Greenwich  church  supplied  the  intervening  Sundays.  Rev.  Dr. 
Reynolds,  of  Easton,  preached  occasionally.  The  church  was 
built  after  the  Presbyterians  had  completed  theirs,  but  before  the 
organization  of  the  Lutheran  congregation.  On  August  28,  1852, 
at  a  meeting  held  in  the  church  building  at  Stewartsville,  the  or- 
ganization of  the  congregation  was  effected  with  the  assistance  of 
Rev.  Plitt,  chairman,  who,  with  Philip  E.  Weller  and  John  Kase, 
was  appointed  upon  a  committee  to  draft  a  constitution,  which  was 
immediately  presented  and  unanimously  adopted.  The  following 
were  elected  :  elders,  John  Fulmer,  John  Kase,  Philip  E.  Weller ; 
deacons,  George  H.  Weller,  William  S.  Kase,  Isaac  Zellers, 
Charles  R.  Thompson.  September  25,  1852,  a  meeting  of  the 
congregation  was  held  to  elect  trustees,  ''for  the  purpose  of  being 
legally  incorporated."  The  following  were  elected  :  John  Fulmer, 
Jr.,  Thomas  Thatcher,  John  Fritz,  Matthias  Pickle,  George  Scott, 
William  Hulshizer,  Henry  Snyder,  Jr. 

Rev.  D.  M.  Henkel,  the  first  pastor,  took  charge  April  8,  1855. 
On  Sunday,  June  1 7,  he  administered  the  Lord's  Supper  to  fifty- 
two  persons,  and  on  the  same  day  began  the  Church  Record. 
The  pastor  was  called  for  one  year,  and  at  the  end  of  that  time 
another  call  was  extended  to  him  for  the  succeeding  year,  so  that 
at  the  end  of  each  year  the  "call"  was  renewed. 

The  pastor  was  required  to  preach  two  sermons  every  Sunday, 
one  every  Sunday  forenoon,  and  one  every  two  weeks  on  Sunday 
evening  during  the  winter  in  the  church  at  Stewartsville,  and  at 
stated  times  at  different  stations  within  bounds  stated  by  church 
council.    The  salary  was  $400.00  without  parsonage.    Rev.  Henkel 


I98  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

relinquished  his  charge  May  30,  1859,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
Joseph  Barclay,  September  i,  1859,  who  received  a  salary  of 
$550.00  with  parsonage.  About  this  time  a  parsonage  was  pro- 
cured through  the  efforts  of  the  committee  appointed,  Matthias 
Pickle,  Alva  Kase,  Chas.  R.  Thompson,  Enos  Mangle,  for  the  sum 
of  $700.00,  not  including  the  cost  of  the  building  of  the  stable. 
The  congregation  took  part  in  the  formation  of  a  synod  in  the 
State  of  New  Jersey,  and  at  a  meeting  of  the  church  council, 
October  2,  1859,  sent  as  delegates  Rev.  Barclay  and  George  H. 
Weller. 

The  resignation  of  Rev.  Barclay  took  effect  November  1,  1863, 
and  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Matthias  Sheeleigh  began  June,  1864. 
December  18,  1864,  Wm.  Kase,  chairman  of  a  committee,  re- 
ported to  the  Joint  Council  that  there  was  not  room  enough  to 
put  such  additions  to  the  parsonage  as  were  needed  to  make  it  a 
convenient  size.  The  old  parsonage  was  accordingly  abandoned 
and  a  new  one  built  at  the  cost  of  $4,000.00.  Rev.  Sheeleigh  re- 
signed his  position  as  pastor  April  27,  1869.  He  was  succeeded 
by  Rev.  J.  R.  Sikes,  who  took  charge  November  1,  1869,  at  a  sal- 
ary of  $700.00  with  parsonage  and  donation  the  first  year,  and 
$800.00  with  parsonage  and  a  subscription  amounting  to  about 
$50.00  the  second  year.  The  pew  rents  were  increased  twenty- 
five  per  cent.  The  new  edition  of  the  hymn-book  was  for  the  first 
time  used.  Rev.  J.  R.  Sikes  vacated  the  charge  September  8,  1872. 
The  next  pastor,  Rev.  P.  Rizer,  of  Hummelstown,  Pa.,  received  a 
unanimous  call  at  a  salary  of  $700.00  and  parsonage.  The  church 
at  his  coming  in  1873  belonged  to  the  New  York  and  New  Jersey 
Synod,  but  to  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod  before  his  leaving. 
He  relinquished  his  pastorate  May  17,  1877. 

Rev.  William  Kelly  assumed  charge  October  1,  1877.  The 
church  was  then  warmed  with  stoves,  but  very  soon  furnaces  were 
substituted.  A  modern  pulpit  took  the  place  of  the  old-time 
"swallow"  pulpit.  The  great  square  posts  which  supported  the 
galleries  were  replaced  by  iron  columns.  Another  aisle  was 
added.  A  centre  chandelier  was  put  in  by  Mr.  Howard  Melick 
and  wife,  as  a  memorial  to  Mr.  William  Kase.  The  melodeon 
was  removed  and  a  pipe  organ  put  in  its  place.  The  floor  was 
newly  carpeted.     The  heavy  wooden  pillars  which  supported  the 


SKETCHES   OF   CONGREGATIONS.  1 99 

basement  were  superseded  by  iron  ones.  The  walls  of  the 
church  were  painted.  The  shed  for  horses  in  the  churchyard 
was  put  up,  and  trees  now  growing  round  the  church  were 
planted.  The  parsonage  was  painted  inside  and  outside.  A  debt 
of  nearly  $300.00  was  paid  off.  Rev.  Kelly  organized  the  Mite 
Society,  which  assisted  in  improving  the  financial  condition  of 
the  church.  He  succeeded  in  interesting  the  congregation  in 
the  work  of  the  Synod,  and  raised  as  apportionment  money  dur- 
ing the  second  half  of  his  ministry  about  $75.00  per  year.  The 
Church  Record  shows  70  new  members,  55  baptisms,  22  mar- 
riages, 55  burials.     His  successful  pastorate  ended  March  1,  1884. 

Rev.  L.  H.  Geschwind  assumed  charge  June  1,  1884.  Septem- 
ber 20,  1884,  at  the  semi-annual  meeting  of  the  congregation,  the 
collectors  were  ordered  to  pay  over  all  salary  collected  to  the 
secretary,  who  should  pay  the  same  to  the  treasurer.  At  the 
semi-annual  meeting  April  4,  1885,  it  was  decided  that  hereafter 
the  church  building  shall  not  be  used  for  any  purposes  but  those 
for  which  it  may  be  required  by  the  congregation  itself,  except 
with  the  consent  of  two-thirds  of  the  Joint  Council  given  at  a 
meeting  formally  called.  A  new  Sunday-school  library  was  fur- 
nished. In  the  Church  Record  the  following  was  entered  :  new 
members  9,  baptisms  14,  marriages  5,  burials  5.  Rev.  L.  H. 
Geschwind  vacated  his  pastorate  November,  1885. 

Rev.  A.  R.  Steck  assumed  charge  July  4,  1886,  and  relinquished 
it  July  1,  1 89 1.  During  this  pastorate  a  number  of  improvements 
were  made.  A  pulpit  recess  was  built  by  Mr.  Howard  Melick  and 
wife,  and  the  pulpit  was  re-furnished  by  Mrs.  Catharine  Kase. 
The  church  was  re-painted  and  frescoed.  Mr.  John  H.  Kase  put  in 
a  beautiful  stained-glass  window  as  a  memorial  to  his  father,  John 
Kase,  and  his  brother  William.  Mrs.  Samuel  Carhart  presented 
the  church  with  a  baptismal  font.  A  more  systematic  method 
of  giving  was  introduced.  For  the  first  time  the  Sunday  offering 
was  received  both  morning  and  evening.  Envelopes  were  sent 
out  quarterly  for  the  raising  of  the  synodical  apportionment,  which 
was  gradually  increased  from  $75.00  to  $190.00  The  Church 
Record  has  the  following  entered  upon  it :  new  members  87,  bap- 
tisms 55,  marriages  n,  burials  43. 

Rev.  W.  E.  Fry  assumed   pastoral  duties  August  16,  1891,  at 


2  00  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

the  salary  received  by  the  two  former  pastors,  $700.00  and  parson- 
age. The  following  improvements  were  made  :  a  new  platform 
built  for  the  choir ;  the  walk  in  front  of  the  church  and  around  it 
paved  with  stone,  through  the  efforts  of  the  King's  Daughters ; 
the  parsonage  painted  outside  by  the  congregation,  and  partly 
papered  and  painted  insile  by  the  Woman's  Missionary  Society. 
The  Church  Record  is  as  follows  :  new  members  18,  baptisms  10, 
marriages  7,  burials  18. 

The  following  are  the  societies  of  the  church  :  the  Woman's 
Home  and  Foreign  Missionary  Society,  organized  by  Mrs.  Susan 
Steck  in  1887  ;  the  Children's  Mission  Band,  which  in  1892 
erected  in  Africa  a  chapel  costing  $50.00  ;  the  King's  Daughters, 
organized  by  Miss  Bertha  Melick.  All  of  these  societies  were 
organized  during  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  A.  R.  Steck.  The  Young 
People's  Christian  Endeavor  Society,  senior  and  junior  Bands, 
were  organized  under  the  present  pastorate. 

The  church  has  proved  itself  loyal  to  the  East  Pennsylvania 
Synod,  to  which  it  has  belonged  since  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  P. 
Rizer,  and  has  done  well  in  meeting  its  apportionment,  which  for 
the  past  year  was  $204.25.  The  membership  is  189.  The  Sun- 
day-school numbers  90,  teachers  and  scholars.  There  are  two 
prayer-meetings,  held  on  Wednesday  evening  and  Sunday  evening 
before  service.  During  the  past  eighteen  years  there  have  been 
union  services  with  the  Presbyterian  church  on  Sunday  evening — 
services  held  alternately  in  each  church.  There  are  two  preaching 
points,  New  Village  and  Good  Springs,  each  of  which  is  supplied 
by  the  Presbyterian  pastor  at  Stewartsville,  the  Methodist  pastor 
at  Broadway,  and  the  Lutheran  pastor  at  Stewartsville.  There  is 
preaching  by  the  Lutheran  pastor  at  each  point  once  in  four 
weeks.  Services  are  held  every  Sunday  morning  in  the  Lutheran 
church  at  Stewartsville.  Value  of  church  property,  $10,000.00. 
Indebtedness  on  graveyard,  $150.00.  The  Joint  Council  is  com- 
posed of  the  following  members  :  elders,  Daniel  Bloom,  Abraham 
Hance  ;  deacons,  Isaac  Shipman,  Samuel  Scott,  Robert  Hance, 
Howard  Melick,  John  H.  Hulshizer ;  trustees,  C.  R.  Thompson, 
Robert  Stone,  John  Smith,  George  Dutt,  George  Carhart,  John 
Lomping,  Maurice  McFerren  ;  secretary  of  church  and  council, 
Henry  L.  Frey  ;  treasurer,  Howard  Melick. 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  201 

XXXIX.  ST.  JOHN'S  CHURCH,  LANCASTER. 

BY  REV.   B.  F.  ALLEMAN,  D.  D. 

The  earliest  history  of  Lutheranism  in  Lancaster  is  preserved 
in  the  records  of  Trinity  church.  The  pastors  of  this  venerable 
congregation,  up  to  the  time  of  the  establishment  of  St.  John's, 
were  the  following;  John  Caspar  Stoever,  1 736-1 740;  John  Fred- 
erick Handschuh,  1 748-1 751;  John  Siegfried  Gerock,  1 753— 
1767  ;  Justus  H.  C.  Helmuth,  1769-1780  ;  G.  Henry  Ernst  Muhl- 
enberg, 1780-1815  ;  Christian  F.  Endress,  1815-1827  ;  John  C. 
Baker,  1828-1853. 

The  organization  of  St.  John's  Evangelical  Lutheran  church 
was  partly  the  outgrowth  of  a  Sabbath-school  established  in  the 
western  section  of  the  city,  in  the  spring  of  1852,  by  a  number  of 
the  younger  members  of  Trinity  Lutheran  church. 

The  school  opened  with  twenty-two  scholars,  under  the  super- 
intendence of  Mr.  J.  S.  Crumbaugh,  a  graduate  of  Pennsylvania 
College,  and  at  that  time  principal  of  the  Lancaster  High  School, 
and  student  of  theology  with  Dr.  Baker. 

The  size  of  Trinity  congregation,  the  inability  to  furnish  com- 
fortable sittings  for  all  its  members  at  the  public  worship,  the  de- 
sire to  develop  Lutheran  interests  in  growing  parts  of  the  city,  and 
other  considerations,  led  to  the  agitation  at  different  times  of  the 
organization  of  another  Lutheran  congregation. 

The  first  meeting  for  this  purpose  of  which  we  have  record  was 
held  April  2,  1853,  when  those  present  resolved  to  constitute 
themselves  a  nucleus  for  such  an  enterprise,  and,  to  give  perma- 
nency to  their  action,  at  once  elected  officers,  who  were  to  serve 
for  six  months  or  until  a  more  complete  organization  might  be 
effected. 

On  the  1 8th  of  May  following,  one  committee  was  appointed  to 
draft  a  constitution  and  by-laws,  and  another  to  solicit  funds  for 
the  erection  of  a  church  edifice.  On  June  15,  on  motion  of  Mr. 
G.  M.  Zahm,  the  new  organization  unanimously  adopted  the  name 
of  "St.  John's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church." 

By  this  time  Mr.  Crumbaugh  had  been  licensed  to  preach  the 
gospel  by  the  Pennsylvania  Synod,  and,  as  he  had  already  en- 


202  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

cleared  himself  to  those  interested  in  this  new  enterprise,  he  was 
chosen  as  their  pastor,  and  at  once  entered  upon  his  labors. 

The  work  of  erecting  a  house  of  worship  was  vigorously  pushed 
forward,  with  Messrs.  John  F.  Shroder,  Henry  Baumgardner  and 
G.  M.  Zahm  as  the  Building  Committee.  The  site  chosen  was 
the  one  still  occupied  by  the  congregation,  at  the  corner  of 
Orange  and  Arch  streets.  The  first  worship  was  held  in  Fulton 
Hall,  and  afterwards,  until  the  completion  of  the  lecture-room,  by 
courtesy  of  the  Moravian  congregation  in  their  church  edifice. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  new  building  was  laid  with  impressive 
ceremonies  October  9,  1853,  Revs.  B.  Kurtz,  D.  D.,  G.  F.  Krotel 
and  H.  Harbaugh,  D.  D.,  officiating. 

On  March  5,  1854,  the  lecture-room  was  opened  for  service, 
Rev.  G.  F.  Krotel  preaching  the  sermon,  and  on  December 
24,  1854,  the  entire  building,  having  been  completed,  was 
solemnly  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  God.  On  this  occasion  the 
pastor  was  assisted  by  Revs.  F.  W.  Conrad  and  B.  Sadtler. 

The  new  structure  cost  about  $20,000.00,  and  was  considered 
one  of  the  finest  places  of  worship  in  the  city.  Thus  equipped  with 
a  church  home,  this  devout  and  energetic  pastor  and  his  little 
flock,  with  limited  resources  and  considerable  opposition,  entered 
upon  a  series  of  heroic  struggles  for  permanent  existence  and 
usefulness.  Hitherto  the  congregation  had  been  in  connection 
with  the  Pennsylvania  Synod,  but  at  a  meeting  held  May  29, 
1855,  it  was  resolved  that  application  be  made  for  an  honorable 
dismission,  with  the  view  of  seeking  more  congenial  synodical  re- 
lations. 

This  application  was  presented  at  the  next  convention  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Synod,  at  Harrisburg,  but  it  met  with  determined 
opposition,  and  a  decision  was  postponed  for  one  year.  How- 
ever, at  the  next  meeting  of  this  body,  in  Lancaster,  the  request 
was  granted,  and  the  congregation  united  with  the  Synod  of  East 
Pennsylvania,  at  Hughesville,  September,  1856. 

While  this  change  was  most  agreeable  to  the  congregation,  and 
won  for  it  new  friends,  it  also  intensified  the  opposition  of  those 
who  had  been  unfavorable  to  its  organization.  At  this  time  the 
outlook  was  very  discouraging.  There  was  the  burden  of  a 
heavy  debt,   to  be   borne  by  a   congregation   numerically   and 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  203 

financially  weak ;  then  the  pastor  was  incapacitated  by  failing 
health,  which  necessitated  the  engagement  of  an  assistant  (Rev. 
Lewis  Hippee),  who  served  but  six  months;  and,  finally,  on 
March  19,  1857,  tne  pastor  himself  resigned.  It  was  thought 
that  a  change  of  employment  might  be  beneficial  to  him,  but  he 
was  a  victim  of  consumption,  and  died  January  13,  1859,  beloved 
and  lamented  by  all  his  people. 

But  St.  John's  had  been  planted.  The  tree  was  small,  and 
many  of  the  conditions  of  its  growth  and  development  were  un- 
favorable, but  it  grew,  and  its  thrift  and  fruitage  are  due,  under 
God's  blessing,  largely  to  the  faithful  husbandmen  who  have 
cared  for  it.  St.  John's  has  been  served  by  the  following  pastors  : 
Rev.  J.  S.  Crumbaugh,  April  2,  1853,  to  March  19,  1857  ;  Rev. 
Lewis  Hippee,  assistant,  October,  1856,  to  June,  1857  ;  Rev.  D. 
Steele,  January,  1858,  to  July,  1862  ;  Rev.  A.  C.  Wedekind,  Jan- 
uary, 1863,  to  September,  1865  ;  Rev.  W.  V.  Gotwald,  July,  1866, 
to  June,  1869  ;  Rev.  B.  C.  Suesserott,  January,  1870,  to  January, 
1876  ;  Rev.  R.  W.  Hufford,  May,  1876,  to  November,  1880;  Rev. 
S.  Stall,  February,  1 881,  to  May,  1887  ;  Rev.  B.  F.  Alleman,  June, 
1887,  to  the  present  time. 

During  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Steck,  the  condition  of  the  con- 
gregation was  much  improved.  His  eloquent  preaching  drew 
large  audiences,  the  number  of  communicants  was  almost  doubled, 
and  the  Sabbath- school  became  the  largest,  save  one,  in  the  city. 
In  one  year  (i860)  eighty-two  persons  were  admitted  to  church 
fellowship,  which  increased  the  membership  to  two  hundred  and 
fifteen.  "Then  already,"  we  are  informed,  "the  congregation 
had  risen,  in  point  of  influence  and  Christian  activity,  to  a  posi- 
tion rivaling  the  oldest  religious  organizations  of  the  community." 

Although  otherwise  prosperous,  the  financial  condition  of  St. 
John's  was  (1863)  very  depressing.  The  original  debt  had  not 
only  not  decreased,  but  by  a  "sad  misfortune,"  and  unexpectedly 
to  the  congregation,  it  had  largely  increased — to  more  than 
$6,000.00. 

In  this  respect  the  field  was  by  no  means  inviting  to  Mr.  Wede- 
kind. But  he  pursued  an  aggressive  ministry,  stimulated  all  de- 
partments of  the  church's  activity,  and,  while  he  had  the  satisfac- 
tion of  realizing  an  advance  in   spiritual  matters,  he  could  also 


204  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

rejoice  in  the  great  achievement  of  liquidating  the  entire  in- 
debtedness of  the  congregation.  "  Owe  no  man  anything,"  was 
his  motto,  and  the  irrepressible  Ladies'  Aid  Society  his  chief 
human  helper. 

As  with  other  pastors  of  St.  John's,  Mr.  Gotwald's  earnest  ef- 
forts were  blessed  with  seasons  of  gracious  revival.  The  "  church 
grew  and  multiplied."  There  was  revival  in  worship,  and  in 
work.  As  never  before  the  benevolence  of  the  congregation  was 
developed.  In  1868  (Jubilee  year)  $4,000.00  were  contributed 
for  all  purposes.  Of  this  sum,  $2, 100.00  were  devoted  to  benevo- 
lence, $400.00  being  given  to  the  cause  of  beneficiary  education 
alone.  At  the  suggestion  of  Mr.  Gotwald,  a  Sabbath-school  was 
organized  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  city.  The  school  pros- 
pered, and  after  his  death  (June  9,  1869,)  the  congregation  built 
for  it  a  chapel  to  his  memory,  which  was  dedicated  January  30, 
1870.  The  school  was  named  "Gotwald  Memorial  Mission,"  has 
been  under  the  superintendence  of  Mr.  John  H.  Kline  for  many 
years,  and  numbers  150  scholars  and  teachers. 

The  pastorate  of  Mr.  Suesserott  was  characterized  by  practical 
work.  The  city  was  districted,  and  committees  were  appointed 
to  aid  the  pastor  in  the  spiritual  care  of  the  people.  The  "  Belle- 
fonte  System "  for  benevolent  work  was  introduced,  and  this 
doubled  the  contributions  the  first  year  of  its  trial.  Special  atten- 
tion was  given  to  beneficiary  education,  one  young  man  being 
supported  by  the  congregation  alone  for  a  season.  The  discipline 
of  the  church  was  faithfully  enforced,  special  attention  was  given 
to  the  poor,  and  the  church  edifice  was  repaired  and  thoroughly 
renovated.     Mr.  Suesserott  died  January,  1867. 

Owing  to  the  protracted  illness  and  death  of  his  predecessor, 
Mr.  Hufford  found  a  field  requiring  earnest  work.  -Vigorous 
effort,  however,  soon  rallied  the  people,  and  the  church  pros- 
pered. A  debt  of  $1500.00  was  removed,  various  improvements 
were  made  in  the  lecture  and  infant  school-rooms,  and  about  the 
church  building  externally.  One  hundred  and  three  were  added 
to  the  membership,  and  the  finances  of  the  church  were  im- 
proved. As,  by  the  action  of  the  council,  the  penny  collections 
were  made  the  source  of  benevolent  funds,  no  progress  was  made 
in  that  direction. 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  205 

One  of  the  most  significant  events  in  this  period  of  St.  John's 
history,  was  the  adoption  of  The  Order  of  Worship  provided  by 
the  General  Synod.  Hitherto,  the  congregation  had  been 
strongly  anti-liturgical,  and  the  change  at  first  threatened  serious 
results.  But  since  that  time  the  greater  part  of  the  Service  has 
been  used,  and  to-day  the  congregation  holds  a  conservative 
position  with  regard  to  worship. 

The  succeeding  pastor,  Mr.  Stall,  having  given  considerable  at- 
tention to  the  subject  of  church  finances,  and  to  methods  of 
church  work,  endeavored  to  bring  his  people  to  more  systematic 
effort,  and  to  greater  liberality  in  their  work.  As  a  result  of 
these  efforts  the  sum  of  $3177.60  for  all  purposes  was  reached  in 
a  single  year,  while  the  amount  contributed  to  benevolence  was 
about  $800.00. 

Improvements  were  made  in  the  church  property  at  an  ex- 
pense of  $1800.00,  the  Sabbath-school  contributed  two-thirds  of 
the  expenses  of  a  beneficiary  student  for  a  time,  and  a  parsonage 
was  purchased  which  cost  $5000.00.  Two  thousand  dollars  were 
paid  on  this  purchase,  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  contributing  one- 
half  of  that  amount. 

A  Young  People's  Society,  and  a  Boys'  Society  were  organized. 
Sunday  funerals  were  abolished,  and  an  effort  was  made  to  estab- 
lish a  new  congregation  at  Gotwald  Memorial  Mission. 

Under  the  present  pastorate  the  debt  on  the  parsonage  has 
been  removed,  and  so  has  the  old  church  building.  On  account 
of  an  unmathematically-designed  roof,  the  walls  were  bowed,  and 
the  structure  otherwise  injured.  It  was  inspected,  condemned, 
and  torn  down.  The  old  building  is  gone,  but  not  its  hallowed 
memories,  nor  the  spirit  of  the  fathers  who  reared  it.  There 
stands  to-day  on  the  same  spot  a  sanctuary  which  bespeaks  the 
homage  and  faith  of  our  people.  The  corner-stone  was  laid 
September  7,  1890,  by  Rev.  W.  H.  Dunbar,  president  of  Synod, 
assisted  by  Revs.  C.  L.  Fry  and  Dr.  J.  Max  Hark. 

On  Sabbath,  October  4,  1891,  the  beautiful  chapel  was  conse- 
crated by  Rev.  Dr.  R.  W.  Hufford,  then  president  of  synod,  as- 
sisted by  Drs.  H.  W.  McKnight,  Revs.  W.  H.  Dunbar,  S.  Stall 
and  H.  H.  Weber. 

St.  John's  has  long  since  taken  a  prominent  position  among  her 


206 


EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 


sister  churches  in  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod.  She  has  been 
active  in  all  the  benevolent  operations  of  the  church.  She  has 
sent  at  least  five  sons,  and  as  many  daughters,  into  the  ministry. 
She  entertained  the  General  Synod  once,  and  the  district  synod 
four  times.  She  has  lost  none  of  her  prestige  in  the  community. 
She  has  three  hundred  and  sixty  members,  four  hundred  scholars 


st.  John's  evangelical  Lutheran  church,  Lancaster,  pa. 


and  teachers  in  her  Sabbath-schools,  and  is  well  organized  for  her 
work.  She  has  a  flourishing  Young  People's  Society  of  Christian 
Endeavor  numbering  one  hundred  and  four  members,  an  efficient 
Ladies'  Aid  Society,  and  an  active  Woman's  Home  and  Foreign 
Missionary  Society.  Recently  death  has  dealt  harshly  with  her, 
financial  misfortune  has  crippled  her,  and  her  temple  is  not  yet 
finished.  But  she  is  not  disheartened.  She  looks  back  over  the 
history  of  the  past,  and  thanks  God.  She  looks  forward  with  the 
spirit  of  her  fathers,  and  takes  courage. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  207 

XL.  SEVENTH  STREET  LEBANON  CHARGE, 
SEVENTH  STREET  AND  MT.  ZION. 

BY  REV.  P.  C.  CROLL. 

i.  Seventh  Street  Church,  Lebanon. 

This  is  a  daughter  of  Zion  Lutheran  church  of  this  city.  All 
her  original  members  were  former  members  of  that  congregation. 
When,  in  1866,  the  mother  church  decided  to  discontinue  the 
use  of  the  German  language  in  her  public  services,  a  number  of 
her  older  members,  speaking  this  tongue  and  preferring  its  use  in 
public  worship,  peaceably  withdrew,  and,  with  the  consent  and 
direction  of  the  church  council,  made  efforts  to  establish  a  Ger- 
man mission  in  the  then  extreme  northern  portion  of  the  city. 
Accordingly  an  organization  was  effected  on  May  2,  of  the. same 
year.  The  meeting  for  organization  was  held  at  the  house  of  Mr. 
Geo.  Barry,  where  a  constitution  was  adopted,  and  a  pastor  elected 
in  the  person  of  Rev.  J.  M.  Deitzler.  At  first  the  name  proposed 
by  the  mother  church  was  adopted,  viz.,  "The  German  Mission 
of  Zion's  Church  of  Lebanon."  Later,  this  name  was  changed  to 
"  Zion's  German  Church,"  and,  still  later,  during  the  pastorate  of 
Rev.  Stine  and  at  its  incorporation,  to  that  of  "  Seventh  Street 
Lutheran  Church." 

For  a  season  after  its  founding  this  Mission  worshiped  in  the 
house  where  the  enterprise  was  born,  which,  because  it  was  used 
for  worship  by  other  struggling  church  societies,  received  the 
name  of  the  "  Union  Church,"  and  was  often  called  the  "  Union 
House  of  Prayer." 

The  first  officers  were  the  following  :  trustee,  Christian  How- 
erter ;  elders,  Henry  Roland  and  George  Patschke  ;  deacons, 
George  Garte,  Conrad  Roller,  Benjamin  F.  Harpel  and  Peter 
Leslie. 

In  1867  a  neat  frame  church  building  was  erected  on  the  cor- 
ner of  Seventh  and  Weidman  streets,  where  the  congregation  had 
secured  a  large  and  valuable  lot.  To  meet  urgent  demands  in  the 
liquidation  of  the  church  debt,  all  this  valuable  patch  of  ground, 
save  the  small  corner  now  occupied  by  the  church  building,  was 
gradually,  but  unduly  and  unwisely,  disposed  of  in  building  lots. 

The  pastor,  serving  a  large  country  charge,  was  at  first  enabled 


208 


EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 


to  preach  but  once  in  four  weeks ;  later,  once  in  two  weeks ;  and 
during  the  last  years  of  his  pastorate,  once  every  Sabbath.  This, 
and  the  exclusive  use  of  the  German  language  for  a  long 
period,  go  far  in  explaining  the  comparative  slowness  of  pro- 
gress during  the  first  decade  and  more  of  the  congregation's  his- 
tory. Only  when  the  English  language  was  introduced  and 
proper  care  was  given  to  the  young  people,  and,  finally,  when  a 
pastor  settled  among  this  flock,  did  the  congregation  manifest  a 
healthy  and  substantial  growth  in  numbers. 

In  1882  this  church,  under  the  direction  and  by  the  help  of  the 
Lebanon  Conference,  and  by  the  union  with  it  of  a  small  country 


SEVENTH  STREET  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN  CHURCH,  LEBANON, PA. 

church  at  Mt.  Zion,  Lebanon  county— hitherto  a  part  of  another 
pastorate — became  the  centre  of  a  separate  pastoral  charge,  with 
the  pastor's  residence  here.  Rev.  Deitzler  accordingly  resigned 
this  congregation,  and  in  the  spring  of  1883  Rev.  M.  H.  Stine, 
of  Norwich,  Conn.,  was  called  as  the  second  pastor.  He  assumed 
charge  May  1  of  the  same  year.  During  his  pastorate  of  nine 
years  great  progress  was  made.  The  charge  became  self-sustain- 
ing, after  two  or  three  years'  help  by  the  Lebanon  Confer- 
ence. A  brick  parsonage  was  built  the  first  year  at  a  cost  of 
$2,700.00.  The  Sunday-school  rapidly  increased  in  numbers  and 
manifested  a  spirit  of  work.  In  1885  an  infant-school  room  was 
attached  to  the  rear  of  the  church,  and  the  following  year  a  pipe 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  209 

organ  was  purchased  for  use  in  public  worship.  In  1888  the  old 
church  was  replaced  by  a  larger  and  finer  church  building  of 
brick — having  a  commodious  and  beautiful  audience  chamber 
capable  of  seating  six  hundred  people,  a  Sunday-school  room,  and 
separate  apartments  for  the  infants,  the  library,  and  the  pastor's 
study.  The  lower  floors  were  dedicated  in  December  of  the  same 
year,  and  the  church  proper  on  September  15,  1889.  The  struc- 
ture was  completed  at  a  cost  of  about  $12,000.00,  including  furn- 
ishings, frescoing,  and  the  heating  of  church  and  parsonage  by 
steam.  Of  this  amount,  the  present  indebtedness  on  the  entire 
property  is  about  $3,400.00. 

The  growth  of  the  membership  has  been  commensurate  with 
the  outward  improvements.  From  a  communicant  membership 
of  fifty-seven  in  1867,  and  of  about  ninety  in  1882,  it  has  steadily 
grown  to  about  two  hundred  and  seventy-five  at  the  present  time, 
and  the  Sunday-school  to  over  three  hundred. 

In  June,  1892,  Rev.  Stine  resigned  the  charge  to  accept  a  call 
from  our  church  at  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  and  the  congregation,  in 
August  of  the  same  year,  elected  Rev.  P.  C.  Croll,  of  Schuylkill 
Haven,  Pa.,  as  his  successor,  who  assumed  charge  October  1, 
1892. 

At  present  more  than  half  the  public  services  are  conducted  in 
English,  and,  out  of  twenty  classes  in  the  Sunday-school,  but  one 
is  taught  in  German.  The  church  is  well  organized,  having  all 
the  usual  working  and  devotional  societies,  is  bright  with  hope, 
and  fresh  with  the  vigor  of  a  young  life,  kept  steady  by  its  admix- 
ture with  age  and  experience. 

2.  Mt.  Zion  Church. 

This  church,  located  about  five  miles  north  of  Lebanon,  and 
since  1883  a  part  of  the  Seventh  Street  Lutheran  pastorate,  came 
into  being  in  1854  under  the  following  circumstances:  When  in 
the  previous  year  the  "Ziegel's"  Lutheran  church  of  this  place — 
which  had  existed  for  the  previous  two  generations  as  an  exclu- 
sively Lutheran  congregation,  belonging  synodically  to  the  Minis- 
terium  of  Pennsylvania  and  Adjacent  States — proposed  the 
re-building  of  their  edifice,  the  Reformed  people  living  in  this 
neighborhood,  and  by  marriage  closely  related  to  this  flock,  who 


2IO  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

had  previously  enjoyed  occasional  privileges  of  conducting  wor- 
ship here,  proposed  to  contribute  their  quota  towards  the  new 
building,  provided  equal  rights  should  be  deeded  them  to  the 
property.  This  offer  the  Lutherans  refused.  In  consequence, 
the  Reformed,  and  such  Lutherans  as  were  joined  with  them  by 
marriage  or  sympathy  with  the  new  project,  resolved  to  build  a 
new  and  union  church  within  the  shadow  of  the  old,  with  equal 
rights  to  both  parties.  The  enterprise  succeeded,  and  in  1853  and 
1854  a  plain  brick  church  was  erected  on  an  eminence  at  the  edge 
of  the  village,  costing,  besides  much  gratuitous  labor,  several  thous- 
and dollars.     It  is  known  as  "Zion's  Union  Church  of  Mt.  Zion." 

Among  the  principal  instigators  in  its  erection  were  Samuel 
Goshert  (after  whom  the  village  is  commonly  called)  and  Henry 
Hornish — both  Reformed  members,  the  former  of  whom  donated 
enough  land  for  church-plot  and  burial  purposes.  The  building 
committee  consisted  of  Samuel  Goshert,  Henry  Hornish  and 
Samuel  Horn,  on  the  Reformed  side,  and  John  Phillips,  Henry 
Phillippy  and  John  Olewein,  on  the  Lutheran  side. 

The  Lutheran  congregation  has  from  the  beginning  held  its 
membership  with  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod,  and  has  consti- 
tuted a  part  of  four  different  pastoral  charges,  viz. :  Womelsdorf, 
Annville,  Myerstown  and  Seventh  Street,  Lebanon.  Its  pastors 
have  been  Revs.  J.  M.  Deitzler,  Uriel  Graves,  G.  J.  Martz,  W.  L 
Cutter,  E.  Lenhart,  P.  C.  Croll,  M.  H.  Stine,  and  now  again  P.  C. 
Croll. 

The  Reformed  pastors  have  been  Drs.  Thos.  H.  Leinbach  and 
C.  H.  Leinbach,  and  Rev.  Welker.  Since  1891  it  has  constituted 
a  part  of  a  new  charge  in  the  Reformed  Church,  which  is  at  pres- 
ent without  a  pastor. 

The  Lutheran  membership,  which  has  always  been  the  weaker, 
has  been  varying  from  forty  to  ninety  communicarits.  At  the  last 
celebration  of  the  Lord's  Supper  seventy-four  communed.  The 
people  are  agricultural  in  their  pursuits,  devout  and  church-loving. 
In  worship  the  German  language  is  used,  but  a  Union  Sunday- 
school  conducts  all  its  exercises  in  English. 

The  church  is  built  after  the  model  of  country  churches,  with 
galleries  on  three  sides,  and  a  pipe-organ  at  the  end,  opposite  the 
pulpit.  The  building  is  in  a  good  state  of  repair  and  is  free  from 
debt. 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  211 

XLI.    ZION'S    CHARGE,    ASHLAND,    SCHUYLKILL    CO. 
ZION'S,  ASHLAND,  AND  HUNTERSVILLE. 

BY  REV.  G.  W.  FRITSCH. 

I.  Zion's  Church,  Ashland. 

This  church  was  organized  by  Rev.  Jacob  J.  Weber,  who  was 
born  at  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  and  came  to  America  in  1847. 
In  1857  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod  sent  him  as  missionary  to 
Ashland,  where,  June  14,  he  preached  his  first  sermon.  Four 
days  later  he  organized  Zion's  with  125  members.  In  connection 
with  this  church  he  served  for  some  years  the  congregation  at 
Mahanoy  City  (General  Synod),  and  those  at  Mahantongo,  Tief 
Creek  and  Ringtown,  belonging  to  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania. 

The  services  of  Zion's  were  held  in  the  stone  school-house  of 
Ashland  until  i860.  The  first  class  of  catechumens  was  con- 
firmed in  the  English  Methodist  church  building.  In  i860  a 
small  church  was  put  up  on  the  corner  of  14th  and  Market  streets. 
The  corner-stone  of  this  church  was  laid  by  Dr.  C.  A.  Hay,  of 
Harrisburg,  and  Dr.  A.  C.  Wedekind,  of  Lebanon.  For  this 
church  Pastor  Weber  collected  money  in  the  congregations  of 
the  brethren  Hay,  Wedekind,  Strube,  Henry  and  Link,  where 
he  was  kindly  received  and  assisted. 

In  1869  this  building  was  removed  and  the  present  commo- 
dious church  erected.  The  corner-stone  of  this  church  was  laid 
October  10,  1869,  on  which  occasion  the  Revs.  Reuben  Weiser  of 
Mahanoy  City,  G.  A.  Hinterleitner  of  Pottsville,  H.  C.  Grossman,  of 
Port  Carbon,  and  the  pastor,  were  present.  The  dedication  of  this 
church  took  place  May  29,  1870.  Dr.  Wedekind,  of  New  York, 
and  Rev.  Sanner,  of  Tremont,  officiated.  For  this  building  no 
money  was  collected  from  others.  In  1887  a  large  steeple  and  a 
bell  were  added,  the  Sunday-school  room  enlarged,  stained  win- 
dows put  in  the  church,  and  the  same  papered.  The  Sunday- 
school  of  this  congregation  was  organized  in  the  year  i860  with 
eight  members.  Mr.  Wm.  Burmeister  was  its  first  superintendent, 
filling  that  office  until  1878,  when  Mr.  F.  E.  Heintze  was  elected, 
who  is  still  the  efficient  superintendent  of  the  school,  which  now 
numbers  about  300. 


2T2  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

Rev.  Weber  served  this  church  up  to  1891  (a  period  of  thirty- 
four  years),  when,  on  account  of  great  feebleness,  he  felt  com- 
pelled to  lay  down  his  work.  A  unanimous  call  was  extended  to 
Rev.  G.  W.  Fritsch,  then  serving  the  Lyons  charge,  who  entered 
this  field  with  his  family  April  14,  1891.  He  was  installed  pastor 
of  the  congregation  by  Rev.  P.  C.  Croll,  of  Schuylkill  Haven,  who 
preached  in  the  German  language  to  a  large  and  appreciating 
audience. 

Until  the  present  pastor  was  called,  all  the  services  were  con- 
ducted in  the  German  language.  But  in  view  of  the  young 
of  the  church,  who  were  rapidly  becoming  anglicised,  and  in  view 
of  some  losses  on  this  account,  the  church  had  decided  that  the 
new  pastor  should  preach  German  in  the  morning  and  English  in 
the  evening  of  every  Sabbath.  Although  the  introduction  of 
English  was  a  wise  and  necessary  step,  it  was  nevertheless  reluct- 
antly taken  by  not  a  few. 

It  is  to  be  remarked  in  this  connection  that  nearly  all  the 
parents  of  Zion's  came  from  Germany,  and  from  the  province  of 
Pomerania.  They  came  to  Ashland  to  work  in  the  coal  mines. 
Many  families  were  helped  over  the  ocean  by  their  relatives. 
This  occurs  even  yet  occasionally.  At  present,  however,  the  work 
and  wages  are  rather  poor  and  discouraging,  the  men  often  being 
allowed  to  work  only  three  days  a  week,  and  having  a  certain 
percentage  deducted  even  from  that.  Many  say  they  cannot  now 
live  and  pay  as  they  go.  A  goodly  number  of  this  church  own 
their  plain  houses,  having  paid  for  them  when  times  were  more 
favorable.  Some  who  formerly  worked  in  the  mines  are  now  suc- 
cessful business  men. 

This  congregation  not  having  a  parsonage  when  Rev.  Fritsch 
took  charge  of  it  (Rev.  Weber  living  in  a  house  of  his  own),  it 
decided  within  less  than  four  months  to  erect  one  back  of  the 
church.  A  beautiful  frame  house,  with  modern  improvements,  was 
ready  to  be  occupied  by  the  following  February,  when  the  happy 
and  grateful  pastor-family  took  possession.  The  ground  belong- 
ing to  the  church,  the  building  was  put  up  at  a  cost  of  $2,500.00, 
leaving  a  present  indebtedness,  on  account  of  scant  earnings,  etc., 
of  about  $1,500.00.  The  membership  of  this  church  at  present 
is  easily  500,  when  those  are  looked  upon  as  members  who  count 
themselves  as  such  and  think  they  have  a  right  to  be  so  judged. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  213 

The  congregation  has  now  a  general  prayer-meeting,  conducted 
every  Wednesday  evening  in  both  languages,  the  German  pre- 
ponderating. It  is  fairly  well  attended.  Prayers  are  offered  by 
both  sexes. 

In  the  spring  of  1892  a  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor  was  or- 
ganized by  the  pastor,  which  is  conducted  in  the  English  language, 
with  the  privilege  given  to  those  who  wish  it,  to  use  the  German. 
This  society  has  so  far  been  quite  successful  and  a  great  encour- 
agement to  the  pastor.  It  has  a  membership  of  over  fifty  at 
present. 

A  Children's  Mission  Band  has  also  been  organized  by  the  pas- 
tor's wife,  who  is  assisted  by  several  faithful  ladies  of  the  church. 
This  band  is  made  up  of  little  girls  who  come  together  every  Satur- 
day. Sewing  is  also  taught,  and  the  articles  made  are  sold  in  town. 
To  this  mission  band  meeting,  which  was  something  new  in  its 
way,  children  from  all  the  different  Protestant  churches  in  town 
are  coming,  showing  much  interest  and  delight  in  its  operation. 

The  pastor  also  meets  the  little  boys,  from  six  years  up  to  the 
catechetical  class,  every  Saturday  from  ten  to  eleven  a.  m.  These 
boys  are  known  by  the  name  of  Little  Soldiers. 

The  congregation  has  also  a  sewing  circle,  organized  in  1890. 
This  faithful  band  of  workers  has  furnished  the  church  with  a 
beautiful  altar  set.  For  benevolence,  Zion's  has  raised  this  year 
(1892)  $204.1 1. 

The  salary,  paid  in  monthly  installments,  is  $750.00  and  parson- 
age, in  addition  to  a  small  amount  received  from  the  congrega- 
tion at  Huntersville. 

Finally,  it  may  be  said  of  this  church  that,  while  in  many 
respects  it  is  not  up  to  many  of  our  General  Synod  churches,  it 
is  however  making  progress,  and  the  pastor  has  reason  to  feel  en- 
couraged as  well  as  discouraged  in  his  work. 

2.  Huntersville. 

In  1 89 1  Rev.  G.  W.  Fritsch,  pastor  of  Zion's  church,  of  Ash- 
land, organized  a  small  congregation  in  the  village  of  Huntersville, 
a  short  distance  west  of  Ashland,  which  for  the  present  meets  in 
the  public  school-house.  Divine  service  is  held  every  three 
weeks.  This  little  flock  contributed  $60.00  towards  the  support 
of  the  pastor  during  the  last  year. 


214  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

XLII.     ST.  JAMES'  CHURCH,  CHALFONT,  BUCKS  CO. 

BY    REV.  GEORGE    SILL. 

St.  James'  Lutheran  Church  was  organized,  and  a  commodious 
structure  for  divine  worship  built,  in  the  year  1857,  under  the 
supervision  of  Rev.  John  W.  Hassler,  then  pastor  of  St.  Peter's 
Lutheran  church,  North  Wales,  and  St.  John's  Lutheran  church, 
Centre  Square,  Montgomery  county.  There  were  about  fifteen 
charter  members,  among  whom  were  the  following  :  Martin  Eck- 
hart,  George  Delp,  David  Barnett,  Charles  Eckhart,  William  Bid- 
die  and  Samuel  Delp. 

Rev.  Hassler  served  this  church  as  pastor  to  the  year  1863, 
when  he  became  chaplain  of  the  112th  Regiment,  Pa.  Volunteers. 

Rev.  Peter  M.  Rightmyer  became  his  successor  in  the  same  year, 
and  served  this  charge  four  years.  At  his  resignation,  St.  Peter's 
and  St.  John's  united  in  calling  a  pastor,  and  so  leaving  St.  James 
without  a  minister  to  break  unto  them  the  bread  of  life  and  ad- 
minister the  holy  sacraments.  The  congregation  was  too  weak 
in  membership  to  support  a  minister  by  itself,  and  so  called  Rev. 
G.  M.  Lazarus,  of  Quakertown,  to  supply  it  with  the  means  of 
grace  for  a  time  indefinite.  This  arrangement  continued  from 
1869  till  1871. 

Rev.  C.  Pitman  Whitecar  was  elected  pastor  February  9,  1871, 
and  installed  May  2 1  of  the  same  year,  serving  the  church  "  one 
year,  nine  months  and  seven  days." 

Rev.  R.  F.  Kingsley  became  successor  to  Rev.  Whitecar,  Janu- 
ary 1,  1874,  and  resigned  September  22  of  the  same  year.  Rev. 
H.  M.  Bickel  was  called  to  the  pastorate  some  time  during  the 
year  1874,  and  served  the  charge  till  autumn,  1875. 

A  certain  Mr.  Hertzel,  professing  to  be  a  minister  of  the 
Reformed  church,  offered  his  service  as  supply  until  such  time  as 
the  church  could  get  a  regular  Lutheran  pastor,  which  offer  was 
accepted  by  the  members  of  the  church.  His  stay  was  two  years, 
viz.,  1876  and  1877,  during  which  time  seeds  of  discord  and 
strife  were  sown  which  have  proved  a  great  hindrance  to  the 
prosperity  of  the  church. 

Rev.  B.  B.  Collins  received  and  accepted  a  call  from  St.  James' 
church  December  30,   1877.     After  three  years  and  nine  months 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  2r5 

of  faithful  labor  among  these  people,  he  resigned  the  charge  on 
October  2,  1881. 

Rev.  Wm.  S.  Delp  supplied  the  church  with  the  means  of  grace 
for  some  months  after  Rev.  Collins  resigned  and  vacated  the 
charge. 

Rev.  J.  A.  Hackenberg  accepted  a  call  July,  1882,  and  served 
till  March,  1883. 

Rev.  E.  S.  Morell  commenced  his  labors  here  in  1883,  which 
continued  until  July  30,  1888,  when  he  resigned  the  charge. 

Shortly  after  Rev.  Morell  vacated  the  church,  Rev.  Jno.  R.  Wil- 
liams served  as  a  supply  for  some  months,  the  exact  time  not  be- 
ing recorded.  On  his  departure,  the  Philadelphia  Conference  of 
the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod  made  arrangement  with  Rev.  H.  M. 
Bickel  to  supply  the  charge  until  such  time  as  they  could  see 
their  way  clear  to  call  a  pastor.  May  n,  1890,  a  call  was  ex- 
tended to  and  accepted  by  Rev.  George  Sill,  who  is  still  serving 
as  pastor. 

One  of  its  members  has  gone  out  of  this  church  into  the  minis- 
try, Rev.  William  S.  Delp. 

The  church  building  is  a  very  substantial  one  of  stone.  There 
remains  upon  it  a  debt  of  four  hundred  dollars.  The  pastor's  sal- 
ary is  three  hundred  dollars  per  annum. 

The  number  of  members  is  variously  estimated,  from  forty  to 
sixty.  They  are  widely  scattered,  some  very  remote  from  the 
place  of  worship,  so  that  it  is  not  possible  for  them  to  attend  ser- 
vices. Thus  isolated,  they  lose  interest  in  and  love  for  the  church 
and  her  institutions,  and  their  influence  and  beneficence  are  in 
a  great  measure  lost  to  the  cause  of  Christ.  The  number  of  ac- 
tive, communicant,  and  contributing  members  may  be  put  down 
at  from  thirty  to  thirty-five. 


XLIII.     ST.  JAMES'  CHURCH,  ASHLAND,  SCHUYL- 
KILL COUNTY. 


BY  REV.  W.  M.  B.  GLANDING. 


This  congregation  was  organized  by  Rev.  W.  L.  Heisler.  He 
had  been  engaged  in  business  at  Minersville,  Pa.  The  Lebanon 
Conference,  at  its  meeting  in  Harrisburg    in  March,   1858,  re- 


2l6 


EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 


quested  him  to  visit  Ashland,  Pa.,  look  after  some  English  Luth- 
eran families  which  had  moved  there,  and  hold  prayer-meetings 
among  them.  He  arrived  April  1 1  of  that  year,  and  conducted 
religious  services  in  a  frame  school-house  on  the  corner  of  Fifth 
and  Walnut  streets.  A  Lutheran  Sunday-school  was  organized 
May  2,  with  twenty-seven  scholars  and  nine  teachers,  at  the 
home  of  Abel  G.  Swift,  who  was  the  first  superintendent. 


ST.    JAMES'    EVANGELICAL    LUTHERAN    CHURCH,   ASHLAND,  PA. 


The  congregation  itself  was  organized  with  fourteen  members 
June  1 6.  The  first  Church  Council  consisted  of  Geo.  H.  Helfrich, 
elder,  and  J.  Logan,  deacon.  On  December  6,  1859,  the  court 
granted  the  petition  for  a  charter  of  incorporation  with  the  legal 
name  of  "  English  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  of  Ashland." 
This  church  from  its  beginning  has  held  all  its  services  in  the 
English  language. 

Rev.  Heisler,  having  received  "  ad  interim"  license  from  Rev. 
A.  C.  Wedekind,  D.  D.,  President  of  East  Pennsylvania  Synod, 
and  having  prosecuted  his  theological  studies  privately,  was 
licensed   by    the    Synod    in    the  fall  of  1858.     He  also  visited 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  217 

Ringtown  and  Miller's  school-house  in  Catawissa  Valley,  Gordon, 
Mt.  Carmel  and  Locust  Dale,  respectively  from  three  to  twelve 
miles  distant.  From  these  services  held  in  school- houses  several 
flourishing  congregations  have  resulted.  The  membership  of  the 
Ashland  congregation  increased  to  67. 

In  June,  1859,  three  lots  were  purchased  for  $550.00  on  the 
corner  of  Ninth  and  Market  streets.  Here  was  erected  a  frame 
church  building  of  one  room  at  the  cost  of  $1500.00,  which  was 
dedicated  November  6,  1859.  Rev.  Heisler  resigned  December 
29,  1861,  having  served  about  three  and  one-half  years. 

The  second  pastor  was  Rev.  F.  A.  Barnitz,  who  labored  just 
two  years,  from  February  1,  1862,  to  February  1,  1864.  The 
steeple  was  built  and  the  bell  was  bought.  The  debt  on  the 
church  lot  was  paid.  Mt.  Carmel  and  Ringtown  were  then  con- 
nected with  this  pastorate. 

The  third  pastor  was  Rev.  James  R.  Sikes.  His  services 
lasted  from  May  1,  1864  to  November  1,  1867.  On  September 
25,  1864,  the  council  resolved  that  it  would  be  better  for  the 
pastor  not  to  supply  the  Mt.  Carmel  church.  A  Sunday-school 
was  sustained  at  Locust  Dale.  On  December  25,  1864,  the 
council  passed  a  motion  that  the  pastor  recommend  to  the  con- 
gregation at  the  next  congregational  meeting  the  propriety  of 
adopting  semi-monthly  experience  meetings.  This  action  was 
ratified. 

One  of  the  marked  features  of  this  pastorate  was  the  exercise 
of  the  right  of  discipline.  Thirteen  members  were  excommuni- 
cated and  a  number  were  suspended.  A  committee  was  appointed 
to  admonish  the  "  lukewarm  members."  Excessive  use  of  intoxi- 
cating liquors,  dancing,  and  attendance  at  a  circus,  were  specially 
prohibited.  Very  positive  action  was  taken  towards  those  mem- 
bers who  indulged  in  these  offences. 

The  fourth  pastor  was  Rev.  S.  Curtis.  He  came  about  February 
15,  1868,  and  remained  two  and  a  half  years.  The  basement  of 
the  church  was  built.  The  infant  Sunday-school  was  started  by 
Mrs.  Curtis  in  a  carpenter  shop  on  Middle  street  above  Eighth. 

The  fifth  pastor  was  Rev.  J.  A.  Hackenberg,  who  began  his 
ministrations  April  1,  1871,  and  ended  them  May  1,  1875.  Dur- 
ing the  summer  of  187 1    the  parsonage  was  erected,  at  a  cost  of 


2l8  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

$4,000.00,  and  was  occupied  in  December  of  the  same  year. 
Religious  services  were  held  in  Gordon,  where  a  Lutheran  con- 
gregation soon  afterwards  was  organized. 

The  sixth  pastor  was  Rev.  O.  D.  S.  Marcley.  His  pastorate 
began  August  15,  1875,  and  terminated  March  1,  1878. 

During  the  year  1876,  $2,700.00  of  the  debt  was  paid.  In  the 
winter  of  the  same  year  the  Lutheran  congregation  of  Gordon  was 
organized  with  33  members.  These  two  churches  then  formed 
the  English  Ashland  pastorate.  The  Mt.  Carmel  congregation 
was  served  only  the  one  year  before  the  departure  of  Rev.  Marcley. 

The  seventh  pastor  was  Rev.  D.  E.  Rupley,  who  had  just  been 
ordained  by  the  Susquehanna  Synod.  He  began  his  labors  about 
July  1878,  and  remained  until  May  1,  1879. 

The  eighth  pastor  was  Rev.  J.  H.  Weber,  from  Schoharie  Co., 
N.  Y.     He  served  from  November  1,  1879, to  September  1,  1887. 

In  June  1881,  a  successful  effort  was  made  to  remove  a  debt 
of  $1,200.00  on  the  parsonage.  The  Young  People's  Christian 
Association  was  organized  March  9,  1883.  This  has  been  very 
helpful  to  the  material  and  benevolent  interests  of  the  church.  It 
will  soon  celebrate  its  tenth  anniversary. 

On  June  10,  1883,  it  was  resolved  to  build  a  new  church.  On 
Sabbath,  June  17,  at  the  celebration  of  the  25  th  anniversary  of 
the  congregation,  this  movement  was  inaugurated,  when  the  sum 
of  $3,519.00  was  promised.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  on  June 
22,  1884.  The  basement  was  occupied  on  November  2.  The 
church  was  dedicated  January  18,  1885.  The  cost  of  the  build- 
ing, with  windows,  organ  and  furniture,  was  $10,133.93.  On  No- 
vember 4,  1883,  the  council  instructed  that  the  proper  legal 
action  be  taken  for  changing  the  charter  name  to  "  St.  James1 
Lutheran  Church." 

On  March  1,  1886,  the  Gordon  congregation,  which  had  so 
grown  in  membership  and  ability  that  it  could  support  a  minister, 
withdrew  from  this  pastorate.  The  Ashland  congregation  at  once 
increased  the  salary  to  the  amount  before  the  division. 

The  ninth  pastor  was  Rev.  E.  Felton.  He  served  from  Octo- 
ber 16,  1887,  to  September  1,  1889.  The  basement  of  the 
church  was  repaired  and  re-seated  in  the  early  part  of  1889. 

The  tenth  pastor  is  Rev.  W.  M.  B.  Glanding,  who  had   lately 


SKETCHES    OF   CONGREGATIONS.  2  1 9 

been  Professor  of  Mathematics  and  Natural  Science  in  Midland 
College,  Atchison,  Kansas.  He  began  his  labors  on  October  i, 
1889,  and  is  still  serving  the  congregation. 

On  February  10,  1890,  the  Young  People's  Society  of  Christian 
Endeavor  was  formed  as  an  adjunct  of  the  Young  People's  Chris- 
tian Association.  This  Society  was  reorganized  on  October  13, 
1892,  as  a  separate  association. 

The  Woman's  Missionary  Society,  after  a  silence  of  ten  years, 
was  revived  on  February  14,  1890. 

A  debt  of  $1,250.00  has  been  removed.  On  September  n, 
1892,  the  pastor  burnt,  in  the  presence  of  the  congregation,  all 
the  bonds,  mortgages  and  notes  against  the  church. 

This  congregation  has  been  built  up  under  the  influence  of  the 
evangelistic  system.  The  "revival  service"  has  been  employed 
in  connection  with  the  Lutheran  method  of  catechisation. 

The  special  organizations  have  proven  very  serviceable  to  this 
church.  The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  began  in  Rev.  Heisler's  pastor- 
ate. It  has  contributed  to  the  material  interests  of  the  church 
about  $4,400.00. 

Two  young  men  of  the  church  are  at  the  institutions  of  learning 
in  preparation  for  the  Gospel  ministry.  The  Young  People's 
Christian  Association  is  educating  a  native  at  Guntur,  India. 

The  approximate  amount  of  money  contributed  in  all  for  gen- 
eral expenses,  real  estate  and  buildings,  is  $51,000.00.  The  esti- 
mated value  of  the  property  at  present  is  $20,000.00.  The  mem- 
bership increased  from  14  in  1858  to  228  in  1892. 

The  accessions  have  been  749,  and  the  losses  521. 

The  benevolent  contributions  have  increased  from  $30.66  in 
1870  to  $284.32  in  1892. 

The  Sunday-school  has  advanced  from  34  to  250  members. 
The  superintendents  of  the  Sunday-school  were  the  following  : 
Abel  G.  Swift,  Jeremiah  Logan,  Isaac  I.  Wagner,  Henry  S.  Boner, 
Theo.  F.  Barron  and  Charles  F.  Russell,  the  latter  still  serving. 

The  Home  Missionary  Board  gave  this  church  aid  for  a  few 
years  in  the  early  part  of  its  existence. 

This  history  closes  November  1,  1892,  covering  a  period  of 
thirty-four  years  and  four  and  a  half  months. 


2  20  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

XLIV.    ST.  MATTHEW'S  CHURCH,  SCHUYLKILL  HAVEN. 

BY  REVS.  P.  C.  CROLL  AND  J.  A.  SINGMASTER. 

The  mother  of  St.  Matthew's  Lutheran  church  is  the  Jerusalem 
church  on  the  turnpike,  known  for  many  years  as  the  old  "  White 
Church,"  a  name  no  longer  applicable  to  the  present  modern 
brick  edifice.  This  church  was  one  of  the  very  oldest  in  the 
county.  Its  early  pastors  were  Revs.  George  Mennig,  1821- 
1836;  Wm.  G.  Mennig,  1S36-1851  ;  Frederick  Waltz,  1852- 
1854;  Julius  Erhart,  1854-1865.  The  original  St.  Matthew's 
congregation,  however,  did  not  emanate  directly  from  the 
"White  Church."  On  account  of  inconvenience  of  location  and 
insufficient  accommodations,  together  with  other  reasons,  a  union 
congregation  of  Lutherans  and  Reformed  determined  to  leave  the 
old  church  and  found  another  in  town.  They  accomplished  their 
design  in  the  erection  of  St.  Paul's  church,  now  St.  Ambrose 
Roman  Catholic  church.  Before  1851  there  had  been  but  little 
English  preaching  in  the  Lutheran  church,  but  then  Rev.  Daniel 
Steck,  the  English  Lutheran  pastor  at  Pottsville,  began  to  hold 
services  in  St.  Paul's  every  two  or  four  weeks  in  the  afternoon. 
The  adherents  of  Mr.  Steck  had  and  claimed  no  right  to  the 
possession  or  use  of  the  church  building,  enjoying  the  privilege 
of  its  use  only  with  the  consent  of  the  regular  pastor,  Rev.  W. 
G.  Mennig,  and  his  people.  During  Rev.  Steck's  ministry  here 
there  was  no  regular  or  permanent  organization  of  the  English 
congregation.  There  were,  however,  about  a  score  of  persons 
who  considered  themselves  identified  with  this  movement. 

St.  Paul's  church,  after  the  departure  of  Revs.  Mennig  and 
Steck,  began  to  decline.  Coldness  and  discord  finally  issued  in 
dismemberment  and  the  enforced  sale  of  the  edifice,  at  one-third 
its  cost  and  about  one-fourth  its  value,  to  the  Schuylkill  Haven 
School  Board.  The  Board,  finding  it  ill-adapted  for  school  pur- 
poses, finally  disposed  of  it  at  an  advance  10  the  Roman 
Catholics. 

During  Dr.  Steck's  pastorate  there  were  several  extensive  re- 
vivals of  religion.  His  ministry  closed  here  in  1857.  For  a  year 
following  there  was  no  regular  English  preaching.  In  the  minutes 
of  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod,  of  1858,  we  find  : 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS. 


"  Resolved,  That  we  recommend  Bro.  Eli  Huber  to  the  promis- 
ing field  of  Schuylkill  Haven." 

Accordingly,  on  October  17,  1858,  Rev.  Eli  Huber  took  charge 
as  the  first  pastor.  He  found  twenty-nine  persons  ready  to  enter 
into  a  permanent  organization.  After  several  futile  efforts  to  re- 
unite the  German  and  English  interests  by  preaching  in  both 
languages,  the  English  members  withdrew  from  St.  Paul's,  leaving 
it  to  its  impending  fate.  Of  the  twenty-nine,  whose  names  are 
not  all  remembered  now,  Andrew  Keefer  was  most  prominent. 
Dr.  Steck  said  of  him  :  "  He,  more  than  any  other,  was  the  father 


ST.  MATTHEW'S    ENGLISH    LUTHERAN    CHURCH,  SCHUYLKILL   HAVEN,  PA. 

of  the  English  movement."  His  varied  ability,  extensive  experi- 
ence, and  ardent  love  for  the  church,  fitted  him  for  leadership 
and  success.  During  the  summer  of  1859,  the  lot  upon  which 
the  church  stands  was  purchased  for  $500.00.  The  contract  was 
signed  on  June  20  by  Messrs.  A.  Keefer,  Samuel  Haak,  John 
Worts  and  C.  H.  Dengler.  The  corner-stone  was  laid,  August 
1 7,  by  the  pastor  and  Dr.  Wedekind,  of  Lebanon ;  and  the 
church  was  dedicated  in  February,  i860,  the  sermon  being 
preached  by  Rev.  E.  W.  Hutter,  of  Philadelphia. 


2  22  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

The  congregation  passed  through  great  straits  in  paying  for  the 
property.  Weak  and  poor,  they  labored  against  odds.  Several 
hundred  dollars  were  contributed  by  churches  at  Easton  and 
Greencastle.  Finally,  the  Board  of  Church  Extension  came  to 
the  rescue  with  a  loan  of  $500.00,  which,  after  several  years,  was 
repaid  in  full. 

At  the  close  of  the  first  year,  there  were  50  members,  62  Sunday- 
school  scholars,  and  $300.00  paid  as  pastor's  salary.  At  the  close 
of  the  second  year  there  were  100  members,  102  Sunday-school 
scholars,  and  $500.00  paid  as  salary. 

Rev.  Huber's  ministry  closed  December  4,  i860,  he  having 
accepted  a  call  to  Danville.  Rev.  P.  Willard  succeeded,  taking 
charge  April  27,  186 1.  At  the  close  of  his  third  year  there  were 
94  members  and  150  scholars.  The  salary  was  probably  $600.00, 
of  which  the  Home  Mission  Board  contributed  $100.00  in  1863, 
and  $58.50  in  1864.     Rev.  Huber  resigned  in  March,  1864. 

On  April  25,  1864,  Rev.  J.  B.  Keller,  of  the  Theological  Sem- 
inary, received  a  call,  which  he  subsequently  declined. 

Rev.  G.  P.  Weaver  took  charge  August  1,  1864.  He  repre- 
sented the  church  before  Synod  as  small,  composed  principally  of 
females,  and  unable  to  support  a  pastor  without  missionary  aid, 
the  membership  being  80,  and  school  numbering  140.  He  re- 
ceived about  $100.00  per  annum  from  the  Home  Mission  Board. 
He  left  abruptly  in  April,  1866. 

The  fourth  pastor,  Rev.  A.  Yeiser,  was  elected  May  14,  1866. 
He  accepted  the  call,  but  completed  his  studies  at  Gettysburg  be- 
fore assuming  full  charge.  He  entered  upon  his  work  August 
19.  From  his  sixth  anniversary  sermon  we  learn  that  $10,390.00 
were  contributed  during  that  time  for  all  purposes,  including  the 
re-modeling  of  the  church  at  an  expense  of  $3,250.00.  From 
other  sources  we  learn  that  during  the  four  subsequent  years  of  his 
ministry  about  $4,000.00  were  raised,  making  a  total  of  about 
$14,000.00  in  ten  years.  He  reported  64  members  the  first  year, 
added  232  new  members,  and  reported  240  members  at  the  close 
of  his  ministry.  The  salary  was  never  large,  being  $600.00  the 
greater  part  of  the  time  and  $720.00  the  remainder. 

Under  Rev.  Yeiser's  administration  the  church  became  thor- 
oughly   established   and   made  great   progress  in  various  ways. 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  223 

"  He  died  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia  while  under  medical  treat- 
ment, February  29,  1876,  in  the  full  triumph  of  that  same  faith  in 
which  he  had  lived."  For  several  months  preceding  Rev.  Yeiser's 
death,  Rev.  J.  B.  Anthony  acted  as  his  assistant.  He  entered 
upon  his  duties  December  1,  1875,  and  supplied  the  pulpit  for 
six  months,  to  June,  1876.  After  Rev.  Yeiser's  decease  the  con- 
gregation elected  Rev.  J.  A.  Singmaster,  still  at  the  Seminary, 
April  19,  1876.  From  July  1  to  September  1,  Mr.  F.  W.  Staley, 
a  theological  student,  acted  as  supply. 

Rev.  J.  A.  Singmaster  took  charge  September  1,  1876.  During 
his  ministry  the  church  enjoyed  several  refreshing  revivals.  In  spite 
of  a  great  financial  crisis,  the  material  prosperity  of  the  congregation 
advanced  considerably.  A  commodious  and  elegant  parsonage  was 
erected,  and  gas  was  introduced  into  the  church,  as  well  as  minor 
improvements  made,  during  his  administration.  After  a  pastorate 
of  six  years,  two  and  a  half  months,  he  accepted  a  call  from  the 
Lyons  charge,  his  resignation  going  into  effect  November  13, 
1882. 

The  following  statistics  cover  the  term  of  this  administration, 
and  represent  the  numerical  strength  at  its  close  : 

Infant  baptisms,  no;  additions  to  membership,  103;  losses, 
70;  number  of  communicants,  201  ;  strength  of  Sunday-school, 
236;  contributions  by  Sunday-school,  $1,367.86;  all  charitable 
and  benevolent  contributions,  $1,846.00;  local  expenses,  $11,- 
311.00;  total,  $13,157.00. 

Rev.  P.  C.  Croll  took  charge  December  1,  1882.  During  his 
pastorate  the  church  grew  steadily  in  numerical  and  financial 
strength.  Over  two  hundred  souls  were  added  to  the  member- 
ship, and  the  period  was  marked  by  great  activity  and  general 
peace.  A  remaining  debt  on  the  parsonage  was  liquidated,  con- 
siderable improvement  made  to  the  grounds,  and  the  church 
wholly  re-built.  The  grand  total  of  over  $26,000.00  of  money 
was  collected  in  this  period  for  all  purp  ses.  This  pastoral  rela- 
tion was  severed,  after  nearly  ten  years  of  successful  work,  Octo- 
ber 1,  1892.  The  pastor  removed  to  Lebanon,  Pa.,  whither  he 
was  called  by  the  Seventh  Street  Lutheran  church.  Statistics  at 
close  of  administration,  and  covering  its  term,  are  as  follows  : 

Infant  baptisms,  1 70  ;  additions  to  membership,  209  ;  losses, 


224  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

by  death  and  removal,  186  ;  number  of  communicants,  224; 
strength  of  Sunday-school,  218;  contributions  by  Sunday-school, 
$2,728.35  ;  all  charitable  and  benevolent  contributions,  $3,129.43  ; 
local  expenses,  $23,038.39  ;  total,  $26,167.82. 


XLV.     MESSIAH   (FORSTER  STREET)   CHURCH, 
HARRISBURG. 

BY    PROF.  L.  O.  FOOSE. 

Messiah  Lutheran  church,  of  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  formerly  the 
Second  English  Evangelical  Lutheran  church,  grew  out  of  a  mis- 
sion Sunday-school,  and  its  origin  can  best  be  reached  by  tracing 
the  rise  and  development  of  this  school. 

On  January  11,  1858,  the  project  of  establishing  a  mission 
Sunday-school  in  the  upper  end  of  (the  then  borough  of)  Harris- 
burg was  brought  before  the  Sunday-school  association  of  Zion 
church  by  Mr.  Wm.  Parkhill,  and  a  committee  was  appointed  to 
inquire  into  the  expediency  of  the  movement,  with  instructions  to 
organize  a  school  immediately  if  found  to  be  advisable.  On  Feb- 
ruary 1,  following,  the  matter  was  brought  to  the  notice  of  the 
vestry  of  the  church.  This  body  regarded  the  movement  with 
much  favor,  and  the  hope  was  expressed  that  the  school  could  be 
so  located,  if  possible,  as  to  attract  the  population  from  both  sides 
of  Capitol  Hill.  The  hope  was  also  expressed  that  it  would  serve 
as  a  nucleus  for  another  church,  the  need  of  which  was  becoming 
more  and  more  apparent.  On  February  8,  1859,  one  week  later, 
the  Association  of  Zion  School  was  informed  by  the  committee 
that  a  school  had  been  opened  in  a  rented  building  at  the  corner 
of  State  and  Cowden  streets.  The  following  persons  were  then 
elected  as  officers  and  teachers  of  the  new  school  for  the  ensuing 
year  :  Superintendent,  Mr.  E.  Byers ;  assistant  superintendent, 
Mr.  John  Heim  ;  treasurer,  Mr.  Wm.  Duncan  ;  librarian,  Mr.  Wm. 
A.  Parkhill ;  assistant  librarian,  Mr.  D.  L.  Duncan ;  teachers,  Mr. 
George  Garberich,  Mr.  Wm.  D.  Martin,  Mr.  Geo.  T.  Murray, 
Mr.  Chas.  Ossman,  sr.,  Mr.  Wm.  Parkhill,  Miss  Mary  Landis,  Miss 
Mary  J.  Ossman,  Mrs.  Mary  Eyster  and  Mrs.  Wm.  Sayford. 
Others  were  added  as  necessity  required,  but  their  names  have 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  225 

not  been  left  on  record.  The  school  grew  so  rapidly  that  on  the 
fourth  Sunday  the  rooms  on  the  first  and  second  floors  of  the 
building  were  filled.  It  became  evident  at  once  that  larger  ac- 
commodations must  be  secured  in  the  near  future. 

At  the  next  meeting  of  the  joint  Sunday-school  Association  steps 
were  taken  to  secure  a  lot  on  which  to  build  a  chapel  for  the  use 
of  the  school.  In  March,  1859,  the  lot  at  the  Corner  of  State  and 
Fourth  streets,  on  which  the  Baptist  church  now  stands,  was 
leased  for  five  years. 

The  undertaking  met  with  the  favor  of  the  vestry  and  member- 
ship of  Zion  church,  a  loan  was  secured,  and  steps  were  at  once 
taken  to  erect  a  cheap  wooden  chapel  on  the  lot  leased.  This 
building  was  completed  during  the  early  summer,  and  dedicated 
and  occupied  by  the  school  in  July.  For  some  time  thereafter 
services  were  held  in  the  chapel  on  Sunday  afternoon  and  Thurs- 
day evening  by  Rev.  C.  A.  Hay,  D.  D.,  pastor  of  Zion  church.  A 
mite  society  was  organized  by  the  teachers  of  the  school  to  raise 
funds  to  pay  for  the  building.  By  mutual  agreement,  it  was 
thought  best  that  a  pastor  should  be  secured  to  take  charge  of  the 
work  of  the  mission,  and  accordingly  the  vestry  of  Zion  church 
extended  a  call  to  Rev.  Joshua  Evans  for  this  purpose.  The  call 
was  accepted,  but  before  entering  upon  his  labors  here  Rev. 
Evans  re-considered  his  action  and  declined.  Rev.  E.  S.  Johnston 
was  then  called,  who  entered  upon  his  duties  June  24,  i860.  A 
congregation  of  64  members  was  organized  September  13,  i860, 
sixty-one  of  whom  brought  letters  of  honorable  dismission  from 
Zion  church. 

The  new  church  thus  began  its  independent  existence,  and 
Rev.  Johnston  became  its  pastor,  devoting  his  whole  time  and 
energy  to  its  welfare.  A  Sunday  evening  prayer-meeting  was 
organized,  which  has  been  kept  up,  except  for  short  intervals,  ever 
since.  A  constitution  was  adopted  the  following  January,  and 
the  necessary  steps  were  taken  to  unite  with  the  East  Pennsyl- 
vania Synod. 

About  this  time  a  lot  was  purchased  for  a  permanent  church 
home,  on  Elder  street,  and  partly  paid  for.  Not  long  afterward, 
however,  it  was  rendered  unavailable  for  church  purposes  by  the 
opening  and   grading  of  Forster  street,  which  passed  through  it 


2  26  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

at  the  intersection  with  Elder  street.  The  chapel  had  been  paid 
for,  but  the  lot  on  which  it  stood  had  been  sold,  and  a  few  months 
afterwards  the  chapel  was  sold.  Another  lot  was  bought,  on 
Forster  street  near  Sixth,  and  steps  were  at  once  taken  to  erect  a 
two-story  stone  edifice  as  the  future  home  of  the  congregation. 

By  April,  1864,  more  than  a  year  after  the  ground  was  broken, 
the  building  was  so  far  completed  as  to  enable  the  congregation 
to  use  the  basement,  but  it  was  not  finished  until  1867,  when  on 
July  12,  it  was  dedicated.  In  the  meantime  Rev.  E.  S.  Johnston 
resigned,  November  1,  1866,  and  Rev.  G.  W.  Halderman  became 
pastor  January  13,  1867.  The  congregation  at  this  time  num- 
bered about  150  members,  and  in  the  erection  of  this  church  had 
passed  through  one  of  the  severest  ordeals  of  its  existence.  It 
had  a  church  home,  but  this  was  heavily  mortgaged  with  debt. 
Three  years  later,  January  24,  1870,  Rev.  Halderman  resigned. 
The  congregation  was  without  a  pastor  until  September  28,  1870, 
when  Rev.  F.  P.  Tompkins  was  elected  pastor,  who  served  in  this 
capacity  until  April,  1873,  when  he  resigned.  The  pulpit  was 
supplied  until  September,  when  Rev.  L.  M.  Heilman  was  elected 
pastor,  who  entered  upon  the  duties  of  his  office  November,  1873. 

During  this  pastorate,  which  lasted  for  ten  years,  new  life  and 
zeal  were  infused  into  the  congregation.  Nearly  all  of  the  debt 
on  the  church  building,  which  had  become  very  burdensome,  was 
paid.  The  building  was  enlarged,  to  make  room  for  the  increased 
membership.  It  was  also  thoroughly  overhauled  at  very  consid- 
erable expense.  The  children  and  young  people  of  the  congre- 
gation were  regularly  instructed  in  the  catechism  and  the  doc- 
trines of  the  church,  missionary  societies  were  organized,  the 
people  grew  in  piety  and  spiritual  power,  the  Sunday-school 
increased  greatly  in  numbers  and  in  efficiency,  many  of  the  young 
people  from  time  to  time  united  with  the  church  and  identified 
themselves  with  its  work,  and  the  blessing  of  the  Lord  was  every- 
where manifest.  At  the  close  of  this  time  the  membership  had 
increased  to  over  400,  and  the  Sunday-school  to  nearly  500. 
Rev.  Heilman  resigned  June,  1883. 

In  October  of  the  same  year  Rev.  H.  S.  Cook  became  pastor, 
and  served  the  congregation  in  this  capacity  until  January,  1888, 
when  he  resigned.     During  this  time  the  remainder  of  the  debt 


SKETCHES   OF   CONGREGATIONS.  227 

was  paid,  and  the  lot  on  which  the  present  church  building  stands 
was  purchased.  The  temporal  and  spiritual  work  of  the  church 
was  carried  along  very  much  as  during  previous  years.  April  i 
of  the  same  year  Rev.  T.  T.  Everett,  D.  D.,  became  pastor.  The 
church  building  soon  proved  too  small  for  the  audiences  that  at- 
tended the  public  worship,  and  it  was  evident  to  all  that  a  larger 
audience  room  was  a  matter  of  necessity.  For  some  time  the 
congregation  was  in  a  quandary,  whether  to  endeavor  to  remain 
in  this  building  until  the  lot  recently  purchased  had  been  paid 
for,  and  a  fund  sufficiently  large  to  erect  a  new  building  had  been 
secured,  or  to  build  at  once.  The  latter  course  was  adopted,  at 
the  risk  of  incurring  a  heavy  debt,  and  a  two-story  brick  chapel, 
100  feet  by  nearly  60  feet,  was  erected.  It  was  dedicated  April 
13,  1890.  The  building  has  been  well  furnished  and  well 
equipped  for  church  work,  and  will  answer  the  needs  of  the  con- 
gregation until  the  entire  structure,  of  which  this  is  only  a  part, 
is  completed.  In  March,  1890,  the  name  of  the  congregation 
was  changed  from  "  The  Second  English  Evangelical  Lutheran 
church  "  to  "  Messiah  Lutheran  church."  In  June  of  the  same 
year  the  Augsburg  Lutheran  Sunday-school  was  organized  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  city  as  a  missionary  enterprise  of  the  con- 
gregation. At  the  time  of  Dr.  Everett's  resignation,  December 
18,  1890,  the  congregation  numbered  about  600  members,  and 
the  Sunday-school  had  an  enrollment  of  over  800. 

Rev.  Luther  DeYoe  became  pastor  September  6,  1891,  and 
still  continues  in  this  relation.  January,  1892,  about  100  mem- 
bers were  honorably  dismissed,  at  their  own  request,  to  organize 
the  Augsburg  Lutheran  church.  During  the  last  year  large  num- 
bers have  been  added  to  the  church.  The  membership  now 
numbers  over  700,  and  the  Sunday-school  enrolls  over  900.  The 
congregation  is  in  a  very  prosperous  condition. 

The  following  are  the  various  organizations  at  work  in  the 
church  at  present :  Weekly  Prayer  meeting,  Senior  Christian  En- 
deavor organization,  Junior  Christian  Endeavor  organization, 
Young  Men's  League,  King's  Daughters,  Woman's  Missionary 
Society,  Young  Ladies'  Mission  Band,  Children's  Missionary 
Society,  Ladies'  Mite  Society,  society  for  liquidation  of  debt,  con- 
sisting of  nearly  20  committees,  and  the  usual  senior  and  junior 
catechetical  classes. 


2  28  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 


XLVI.     ST.    PAUL'S   CHURCH,  STONE   CHURCH    POST 
OFFICE,  NORTHAMPTON  COUNTY. 

1!Y  REV.  I.  H.  MCGANN. 

St.  Paul's  Lutheran  Church  of  Centreville,  (Stone  Church  P. 
O.,)  Pa.,  was  informally  organized  February  2,  i860.  A  meet- 
ing was  called  to  be  held  in  the  second  story  of  an  old  school- 
house  that  stood  in  the  centre  of  the  village  of  Centreville. 
About  forty  men  responded  to  the  call,  all  of  them  nominally 
members  of  the  German  Reformed  and  Lutheran  congregations, 
known  as  Christ's  Church.  This  call  was  occasioned  by  the  vigor- 
ous denunciation  of  the  views  held,  services  demanded,  and 
methods  of  worship  desired,  by  a  respectable  minority  in  each  of 
the  above-named  denominations.  After  some  preliminary  dis- 
cussion, Reuben  Schoch  was  elected  president,  and  Jesse 
Pearson,  secretary  of  the  meeting.  It  was  resolved  that  they 
unite  in  one  body,  to  be  called  "  New  Measure  Lutherans." 

Samuel  Hilliard  moved  that  a  church  be  built  near  Centreville. 
This  motion  was  amended  by  Jacob  Kunsman,  to  read  that  two 
churches  be  built,  one  at  Richmond  and  another  at  Williamsburg, 
Pa.  Notwithstanding  the  wisdom  of  the  amendment,  it  was 
voted  down,  and  the  original  motion  carried  unanimously. 

George  Baker  moved  that  a  committee  of  four  be  appointed  to 
solicit  funds  for  the  erection  of  the  proposed  building.  The 
president  appointed  John  Schoch,  Reuben  Wagner,  Theodore  H. 
Ink,  and  Abraham  Schmell.  . 

On  February  10,  nine  days  after  the  first  call,  another  meeting 
was  held.  The  Committee  on  Finance  reported  $2,803.50  sub- 
scribed. Philip  Pearson  was  the  first  to  subscribe,  and  pledged 
himself  for  $100.00;  Jacob  Pearson  and  "Joseph  Emory  followed 
with  like  sums.  Then  there  was  a  deep  silence,  when  the  three 
persons  named  doubled  their  pledges.  This  gave  a  new  impetus, 
and  large  subscriptions  followed  in  rapid  succession.  The  new 
church  being  an  assured  fact,  specifications  were  presented,  and 
Jacob  Pearson  and  Joseph  Stahley  were  appointed  a  building 
committee.  The  formal  organization  now  took  place.  A  church 
council  of  six  elders  and  four  deacons  was  elected  and  organized. 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  229 

The  elders  were  Daniel  Emory,  Abraham  Schmell,  Reuben 
Schoch,  Jesse  Pearson,  and  Jacob  Deiterich  ;  the  deacons,  John 
C.  Pearson,  William  Jacoby,  Ephraim  Dutt,  and  Christian  Brodt. 

Rev.  J.  J.  Albert,  a  former  pastor  of  the  First  Lutheran  congrega- 
tion, was  consulted.  He  recommended  Rev.  John  I.  Burrrell,  then 
a  theological  student  at  Gettysburg.  The  Council  sent  a  commit- 
tee to  confer  with  a  similar  organization  at  Martin's  Creek,  Pa. 
It  was  agreed  that  the  organizations  at  Centreville  and  Martin's 
Creek  would  unite  in  one  pastorate.  An  election  was  held  in 
Joint  Council  April  14,  i860,  and  Rev.  Burrell  received  a  unani- 
mous call.  The  newly- elected  pastor  entered  at  once  upon  the 
arduous  work  before  him  with  unflinching  zeal. 

The  Church  Council  was  convened  June  18,  i860,  and  named 
the  new  organization,  "  St.  Paul's  Evangelical  Lutheran  church." 
Arrangements  were  made  to  lay  the  corner-stone  July  4,  and  on 
November  10,  i860,  St.  Paul's,  amid  great  rejoicing,  was  solemnly 
dedicated  to  the  service  of  Almighty  God.  In  the  meanwhile  the 
M.  E.  church  was  offered  and  used  for  preaching  purposes.  Ar- 
ticles of  incorporation  were  granted  March  28,  1861.  A  pro- 
tracted service  followed  immediately  on  the  dedication  of  the 
church.  A  precious  revival  was  the  result,  and  on  January  13, 
1 86 1,  the  Lord's  Supper  was  administered  to  two  hundred  and 
twenty-eight  persons.  Special  services  were  conducted  in  neigh- 
boring school-houses  ;  many  were  savingly  converted  and  added 
to  the  growing  congregation,  and  at  the  next  communion  season 
St.  Paul's  enrolled  her  largest  number  of  members. 

The  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War  became  the  occasion  of  difficulties 
and  discouragements  which  seriously  interrupted  the  progress  of 
the  congregation.  The  pastor  tendered  his  resignation  February 
8,  1875,  and  accepted  a  call  to  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  where  he  died  a 
few  years  afterward. 

About  this  time  St.  Paul's  withdrew  from  her  former  pastoral 
relation  with  Martin's  Creek  and  Ackermanville  congregations, 
and  formed  a  separate  pastorate.     It  continues  so  up  to  this  time. 

On  September  20,  1875,  the  congregation  extended  a  call  to  Rev. 
H.  R.  Fleck  to  become  pastor  of  their  now  distracted  field.  Rev. 
Fleck's  labors  were  eminently  successful.  He  succeeded,  in  a 
large  measure,  in  restoring  peace  and  good  will  among  the  mem- 


23O  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

bers,  and  many  others  were  brought  to  a  saving  knowledge  of  the 
truth  and  added  to  the  church.  After  six  years  of  p'atient  and 
devoted  ministerial  labor,  he  resigned  the  charge.  During  Rev. 
Fleck's  pastorate,  on  January  30,  1876,  the  congregation  changed 
its  synodical  relations  from  the  New  York  and  New  Jersey  Synod 
to  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod. 

Rev.  P.  S.  Hooper  was  the  next  pastor,  who  remained  with  the 
people  about  eighteen  months.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  C.  S. 
Trump,  who  entered  the  field  January  31,  1883.  During  the 
spring  and  summer  of  1883  the  church  edifice  was  re-modeled  and 
the  interior  beautified.  The  church  was  re-opened  August  5, 
1883.  Rev.  Trump  presented  his  resignation  September  1,  1888, 
to  take  effect  in  thirty  days. 

The  next  pastor  was  Rev.  J.  T.  Gladhill,  who,  owing  to  ill 
health,  resigned  August,  1891,  having  been  pastor  about  two  years 
and  six  months.  He  succeeded  in  bringing  most  of  the  young 
people  of  the  congregation  into  church  fellowship,  and  his  work 
will  tell  for  the  future. 

The  present  pastor,  Rev.  I.  H.  McGann,  began  his  labors 
March  1,  1892.  The  congregation  now  numbers  two  hundred 
and  twelve  members.  The  people  seem  united  and  willing  to 
work.  There  is  a  spirit  of  improvement  and  advancement  mani- 
fest, and  the  congregation,  during  the  vacancy  of  seven  months 
before  the  present  pastor  was  called,  erected  an  iron  fence  facing 
the  public  road  for  a  distance  of  243  feet,  re-papered  the  parsonage, 
laid  stone  walks,  and  made  various  other  needed  improvements. 

St.  Paul's  has  furnished  to  the  ministerial  ranks  Rev.  Ephraim 
Dutt,  Rev.  W.  H.  Dunbar,  D.  D.,  Rev.  John  Wagner,  Rev.  Jacob 
S.  Paul,  Rev.  Charles  B.  Gruver.  Mr.  George  Uhler  is  now  a  stu- 
dent at  Gettysburg  preparing  for  the  ministry.  George  D.  Stah- 
ley,  M.  D.,  Professor  of  Hygiene  and  Physical  Culture  in  Penn- 
sylvania College,  is  one  of  her  sons,  as  was  also  Mr.  Alvin  Schmell, 
a  very  promising  young  man,  who  died  while  a  theological  student 
at  Gettysburg  in  1890. 

Material  aid  in  the  preparation  of  the  above  has  been  received 
from  an  excellent  and  detailed  history  of  the  congregation,  written 
by  Prof.  B.  F.  Reasley,  ex-Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction  in 
Northampton  county,  and  read  by  him  at  a  congregational  jubilee 
held  August  18,  1892. 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  23  I 

XLVII.     LYONS  CHARGE— LYONS,  PLEASANTVILLE, 
MOHRSVILLE,  AND  STRAUSSTOWN,  IN   BERKS 
COUNTY;  MACUNGIE  AND  UPPER  MIL- 
FORD,  IN  LEHIGH  COUNTY. 

BY  REV.  J.  A.  SINGMASTER. 

The  Lyons  charge  consists  of  six  small  congregations  in  Berks 
and  Lehigh  counties.  The  present  church  membership  numbers 
263,  and  the  Sunday-schools,  teachers  and  scholars,  about  650. 
The  German  language  is  used  at  the  regular  services.  In  the 
Sunday-schools  English  predominates,  and  it  is  used  also  more  or 
less  frequently  at  special  preaching  services  on  Saturday  and  Sun- 
day evenings. 

The  charge  was  formed  by  Rev.  A.  D.  Croll  in  1868,  and  con- 
sisted of  congregations  then  organized  by  him  at  Lyons,  Macungie 
and  Pleasantville,  together  with  the  Mohrsville  Union  church,  es- 
tablished in  1864.  Salem  was  at  first  only  a  preaching  station, 
but  formed  a  separate  organization  in  1872.  Strausstown  was  not 
added  to  the  charge  until  1878. 

The  formation  of  this  charge  was  the  result  of  a  great  revival 
of  religion  during  the  ministry  of  the  sainted  Rev.  A.  D.  Croll. 
In  the  year  1862  he  became  the  pastor  of  six  country  congrega- 
tions, known  as  the  Lobachsville,  DeLong,  St.  Peter's,  Hereford, 
Longswamp  and  Hill  churches,  located  in  Berks  county,  and  ad- 
hering to  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania.  He  exercised  a  wonderful 
spiritual  influence  throughout  his  large  charge,  in  awakening, 
converting  and  edifying  souls.  For  five  years  he  continued  the 
faithful  and  popular  pastor  of  this  large  field.  Calls  to  more  in- 
viting and  prominent  churches  did  not  induce  him  to  leave  his 
important  work.  He  had,  however,  serious  difficulties  to  contend 
with.  None  of  the  congregations  held  prayer-meetings,  in 
which  he  so  ardently  believed.  His  methods  began  to  arouse 
opposition  on  the  part  of  some  of  his  people,  as  well  as  from  his 
clerical  brethren. 

In  the  meantime  Pastor  Croll  found  his  connection  with  the 
Synod  of  Pennsylvania  growing  iess  congenial.  Its  well-known 
disapproval  of  "  revivals,"  the  comparatively  rigid  type  of  Luther- 


232  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

anism  which  it  advocated,  the  cold  formalism  prevalent  in  many 
of  its  congregations',  together  with  other  reasons,  induced  Mr. 
Croll  to  withdraw  from  the  old  Synod  in  March,  186S.  He  im- 
mediately proceeded  to  gather  his  adherents  into  new  organiza- 
tions, excepting  at  Mohrsville,  where  the  entire  congregation 
followed  him.  He  was  received,  with  his  five  congregations 
numbering  200  members,  into  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod  in 
September,  1868.  A  period  of  great  religious  activity  followed. 
During  the  succeeding  six  years,  hundreds  were  converted  and 
spirituality  promoted  in  wide  circles.  Contributions  grew  phe- 
nomenally for  that  region.  Besides  supporting  their  pastor  from 
the  start  without  missionary  aid,  and  building  new  churches,  the 
offerings  for  the  benevolent  objects  of  the  Synod  amounted  to 
$400.00  per  annum.  The  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit  was  further 
manifested  in  the  call  of  young  men  to  the  ministry.  During  the 
eight  brief  years  of  Mr.  Croll's  pastorate,  three  of  these  became 
pastors  and  two  others  had  almost  completed  their  preparation. 
Since  then  two  more  have  entered  the  ministry,  and  another  can- 
didate is  preparing.  Thus,  in  the  twenty-five  years  of  the  history 
of  the  Lyons  charge,  it  has  rarely  been  without  at  least  one  can- 
didate for  the  ministry. 

The  tremendous  labors  of  Mr.  Croll  soon  broke  down  his  frail 
body.  With  the  words,  "Is  this  dying?  No,  sweet  living,"  upon 
his  lips,  he  passed  away  June  19,  1876,  aged  38  years.  His  death 
was  a  severe  blow  to  his  congregations,  which  had  now  increased 
in  membership  to  335.  The  protracted  illness  of  Mr.  Croll,  fre- 
quent changes  of  pastors,  long  vacancies,  the  wide  separation  of 
the  churches,  and  various  other  causes,  have  to  some  extent  de- 
pleted the  membership,  but  there  is  yet  much  pure  '-'salt"  there. 
The  sketch  of  the  charge  will  be  amplified  in  the  brief  notes  on 
the  individual  congregations  here  following. 

1.  St.  Paul's  Church,  Lyons  Station. 

This  congregation  was  organized  by  Rev.  A.  D.  Croll,  in  1868, 
out  of  adherents  who  followed  him  from  the  De  Long  congrega- 
tion at  Bowers.  The  corner-stone  of  the  substantial  two-story 
brick  church  was  laid  June  1,  1868.  Mr.  Croll's  pastorate  ex- 
tended from  1 868- 1 8 76.     Rev.  W.  I.  Cutter  and  others  supplied 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  233 

the  charge  until  the  former  was  elected  pastor,  in  July,  1877.  He 
was  succeeded  in  February,  1878,  by  Rev.  E.  Daron,  who  resigned 
January  1,  1880.  Rev.  D.  E.  Reed  was  the  next  pastor,  for  less 
than  a  year.  Rev.  W.  H.  Lewars  succeeded  him,  April  10,  1881, 
and  resigned  January  24,  1882.  Rev.  Wm.  G.  Mennig  acted  as 
supply  for  some  months.  On  November  15,  1882,  Rev.  J.  A. 
Singmaster  took  charge,  and  remained  until  April,  1885,  when  he 
resigned  for  the  purpose  of  serving  the  Macungie  charge,  which 
had  been  formed  by  the  withdrawal  of  Macungie  and  Salem  from 
the  Lyons  charge  and  the  addition  of  St.  John's,  Fogelsville. 
Rev.  George  W.  Fritsch,  who  had  been  called  to  the  ministry 
through  the  instrumentality  of  Rev.  A.  D.  Croll,  became  pastor  in 
the  summer  of  1885.  After  serving  the  charge  about  six  years,  he 
resigned  in  March,  1891.  Since  then  the  pulpit  has  been  tem- 
porarily supplied  by  Rev.  G.  J.  Martz,  of  Lebanon.  Revs.  W.  R. 
Wieand,  of  Altoona,  P.  C.  Croll,  of  Lebanon,  and  Morris  F.  Good, 
of  the  Theological  Seminary,  entered  the  ministry  from  this 
church. 

2.  St.  John's,  Pleasantville. 
The  history  of  this  congregation  is  much  like  that  of  the  fore- 
going. It  was  organized  under  similar  circumstances  by  Pastor 
Croll  in  1868,  with  a  small  membership  which  withdrew  from  con- 
gregations in  the  vicinity.  For  ten  years  the  congregation  wor- 
shiped in  a  hall.  Their  neat  brick  church  was  built  during  the 
pastorate  of  Rev.  E.  Daron.  It  has  had  the  same  pastors  as  the 
church  at  Lyons  Station. 

3.  St.  Matthew's  Church,  Macungie. 
St.  Matthew's  church  was  organized  in  1868  by  about  100  peo- 
ple who  separated  from  Solomon's  Lutheran  and  Reformed 
church,  under  the  leadership  of  Rev.  A.  D.  Croll.  In  1869  a 
brick  church,  seating  about  400  people,  and  costing  $6,500.00, 
was  erected  upon  land  donated  by  James  Singmaster.  The  pas- 
tors have  been  the  same  as  those  of  St.  Paul's,  Lyons.  During  the 
pastorate  of  Rev.  J.  A.  Singmaster.  this  church,  with  Salem  and 
Fogelsville,  formed  the  Macungie  charge  for  about  a  year  and 
a  half  (April,  1885,  to  September,  1886).  After  his  resignation  it 
re-united  with  the  Lyons  charge,  of  which  Rev.  G.  W.  Fritsch  was 


234  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

the  pastor.  During  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  E.  Daron  a  frame 
chapel  was  erected.  This  congregation  has  given  to  the  ministry 
Rev.  J.  A.  Singmaster,  of  Allentown,  and  Rev.  O.  C.  Roth,  of 
Baltimore.  Another  of  its  young  men  has  recently  consecrated 
himself  to  the  same  work.  Since  1881  the  church  has  sustained 
a  flourishing  Woman's  Missionary  Society. 

4.  Salem  Church,  Upper  Milford. 

This  church  is  situated  about  three  miles  south-east  of  Macun- 
gie.  Its  original  membership  separated  in  1868  from  a  neighbor- 
ing church,  called  St.  Peter's,  whose  history  dates  back  to  1770. 
For  four  years  Rev.  A.  D.  Croll,  whom  they  followed  from  the 
old  church,  preached  occasionally  in  their  houses  and  barns. 
Their  names,  however,  were  enrolled  in  St.  Matthew's,  Macungie. 
In  1872  they  organized  separately  ajid  built  a  comfortable  stone 
church,  with  basement,  seating  about  250  people.  It  has  always 
had  the  same  pastors  as  Macungie. 

5.  Union  Church,  Mohrsville. 

The  Union  church  of  Mohrsville,  Berks  county,  Pa.,  was 
founded  in  1864  by  members  of  the  Union  church  at  Shoemakers- 
ville,  from  which  they  withdrew  on  account  of  dissatisfaction  with 
the  election  of  an  "  independent  "  pastor.  Messrs.  John  Snyder, 
Isaac  H.  Mohr,  Seth  Zimmerman  and  Isaac  K.  Becker,  were 
elected  as  a  building  committee  and  erected  a  brick  church, 
thirty-six  by  forty-eight  feet,  with  basement  and  gallery.  The 
dedication  took  place  May  7,  1865. 

The  Reformed  held  their  first  election  for  pastor  in  January, 
1865,  and  chose  Rev.  Aaron  Leinbach. 

The  Lutherans  elected  Rev.  B.  E.  Kramlich  in  February,  1865. 
He  resigned  June  24,  1867.  Rev.  A.  D.  Croll  was  then  elected 
pastor,  being  a  member  of  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania.  At  his 
second  appointment  he  announced  that  he  could  not  accept  a 
call,  in  view  of  his  intention  of  changing  his  synodical  relations 
by  uniting  with  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod,  unless  the  congre- 
gation would  hold  another  election.  He  was  again  unanimously 
elected,  and  served  the  church  with  the  greatest  possible  accept- 
ance until  the  time  of  his  death  in  1876.     During  the  ministry  of 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  235 

Rev.  A.  D.  Croll,  the  church  was  connected  with  the  Lyons 
charge.  '       * 

After  his  death  Rev.  J.  A.  Singmasler,  pastor  at  Schuylkill 
Haven,  supplied  the  pulpit  for  about  two  years.  Rev.  E.  Len- 
hart  became  pastor  on  July  9,  1878,  and  the  congregation,  by  a 
re-districting  of  various  charges,  was  assigned  by  Synod  to  the 
Womelsdorf  charge,  consisting  of  congregations  at  Womelsdorf, 
Strausstown,  Mohrsville,  Myerstown  and  Gosherts.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  Philip  C.  Croll  in  1879,  whose  pastorate  ex- 
tended to  December,  1882.  Rev.  I.  B.  Crist  took  charge  in  Sep- 
tember, 1883,  and  labored  until  June  1,  1885.  By  a  new  ar- 
rangement, Mohrsville  and  Strausstown  were  now  added  to  the 
Lyons  charge,  consisting  of  four  churches.  Rev.  G.  W.  Fritsch 
became  pastor  in  the  summer  of  1885,  and  terminated  his  pastor- 
ate April  1,  1891,  since  which  time  the  pulpit  has  been  supplied 
by  neighboring  pastors. 

The  church  edifice  was  re-modeled  in  1 886  at  a  cost  of  $  1 ,400.00, 
all  of  which  was  paid  on  or  before  the  dedication.  The  improve- 
ments consisted  in  raising  the  floors,  thus  bringing  the  basement 
above  ground,  and  in  removing  the  side  galleries.  Since  then, 
shedding  has  been  erected  to  the  rear  of  the  church,  and  the 
cemetery  improved.  The  introduction  of  new  reversible  seats 
into  the  Sunday-school  room  is  now  contemplated. 

The  membership  numbers  at  present  fifty-eight,  and  the  Union 
Sunday-school  over  a  hundred.  On  account  of  the  frequent 
changes  of  pastors  and  the  present  vacancy,  the  membership  has 
been  somewhat  depleted.  This  little  congregation  has  always 
been  very  zealous  in  the  work  of  the  Lord.  It  has  given  one  of 
its  young  men,  Rev.  Wm.  H.  Lewars,  the  present  Secretary  of 
the  Synod,  to  the  ministry  of  Christ. 

6.    St.  Paul's  Church,  Strausstown. 

This  congregation  was  organized  by  Rev.  J.  M.  Deitzler,  in 
1 86 1,  with  a  few  members  who  withdrew  from  Zion  Union  Luth- 
eran and  Reformed  Church.  At  a  meeting  held  on  July  15, 
Messrs.  John  Strauss,  Jonathan  G.  Reber,  Michael  Miller,  John 
Boltz,  and  Dr.  W.  J.  Schoener,  were  appointed  a  building  com- 
mittee.    Within  a  week  they  had  purchased  a  lot  for  the  church 


236  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

and  cemetery  and  begun  building  operations.  The  corner-stone 
of  a  frame  church  was  laid  in  August.  Suitable  sermons  were 
preached  on  this  occasion  by  Revs.  A.  C.  Wedekind,  E.S.  Henry, 
and  J.  M.  Deitzler,  the  pastor.  The  church  was  finished  and 
consecrated  in  November,  Rev.  P.  Willard  assisting  the  pastor  in 
the  services.  During  the  following  winter  the  membership  in- 
creased to  seventy  by  means  of  a  great  revival. 

Rev.  Uriel  Graves  succeeded  Rev.  Deitzler  as  pastor  on  April 
1,  1865.  He  resigned  March  6,  1866.  From  this  date  to  Nov. 
15,  1868,  when  Rev.  G.  J.  Martz  became  pastor,  the  church  was 
dependent  upon  supplies.  The  charge  consisted  at  this  time  of 
churches  at  Womelsdorf,  Schaefferstown,  and  Strausstown.  Rev. 
Martz  continued  pastor  for  about  nine  years.  During  1877,  Rev. 
W.  I.  Cutter  supplied  the  pulpit.  Rev.  E.  Lenhart  became  pas- 
tor July  9,  1878.  Since  then  it  has  been  served  by  the  same  pas- 
tors as  Mohrsville. 


XLVIII.     MARTIN'S  CREEK  CHARGE,  NORTHAMPTON 

COUNTY,  LOWER  MOUNT  BETHEL  AND 

ACKERMANVILLE. 

BY  REV.  WM.  HESSE. 

i.  Trinity  Church,  Martin's  Creek  (Lower  Mt.  Bethel). 

The  Mt.  Sion  church  of  Lower  Mount  Bethel,  was  jointly  con- 
trolled by  Lutherans  and  German  Reformed.  It  was  built  in  the 
year  1837.  Rev.  Andreas  Fuchs  was  the  first  pastor,  serving  un- 
til 1850.  His  preaching  was  all  in  German.  He  was  succeeded 
by  Rev.  Mark  Harpel,  whose  preaching  was  partly  English 
and  partly  German.  Rev.  Jacob  Albert  entered  upon  the  duties 
of  pastor  as  successor  of  Mr.  Harpel  early  in  1855,  remaining  un- 
til the  fall  of  1859.  His  preaching  was  mostly  English,  and  of  a 
spiritual  character.  Rev.  J.  I.  Burrell  was  next  chosen,  under 
whose  preaching  a  great  awakening  took  place. 

In  1864  a  number  of  members,  with  the  pastor,  withdrew  from 
the  old  church  and  organized  a  new  congregation,  electing  the 
following  as  a  Church  Council : 

Trustee  :   Abram  Shimer.     Elders  :   Christian  Buzzard,  George 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  237 

Racely,  Joseph  Engler,  Charles  Ziegenfuss,  Robert  G.  Morris. 
Deacons  :  David  Hinkle,  Joseph  Kiefer,  William  Snyder,  John 
Riegel,  Samuel  Hile,  Joseph  K.  Snyder. 

The  following  were  appointed  as  a  Building  Committee  :  Rev. 
J.  I.  Burrell,  pastor,  Drs.  Asa  K.  Seem,  Abram  Shimer,  Christian 
Buzzard,  Joseph  Kiefer,  Jr.,  William  Snyder. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  new  church  was  laid  in  1864,  in  the 
immediate  vicinity  of  the  old  building,  Rev.  Luther  Albert,  of 
Germantown,  Pa.,  preaching  in  the  morning,  Rev.  R.  A.  Fink,  of 
Lewisburg,  in  the  evening,  Rev.  Duy,  of  New  Germantown,  N.  J., 
officiating  in  the  formal  act  of  laying  the  corner-stone,  and  Rev. 
R.  B.  Forsman  assisting  in  the  services. 

The  consecration  of  the  new  building  took  place  on  Thursday, 
December  8,  1864,  Rev.  F.  W.  Conrad,  D.  D.,  of  Chambersburg, 
preaching  able  sermons  morning  and  evening.  Rev.  J.  I.  Bur- 
rell read  the  dedicatory  service.  A  number  of  other  ministers 
were  present.  The  pastor  and  congregation  belonged  to  the 
New  Jersey  Synod.  At  a  joint  council  meeting  of  Upper  and 
Lower  Mount  Bethel,  held  March  19,  1862,  it  had  been  agreed 
that  Lower  Mt.  Bethel  pay  the  sum  of  $5 00.00  toward  building  a 
parsonage  at  Centreville,  Pa.,  which  amount  was  to  be  refunded 
in  case  of  a  division  of  the  charge. 

On  May  29,  1875,  a  joint  congregational  meeting  was  held,  at 
which  it  was  decided  to  divide  the  charge,  and  a  committee  was 
sent  to  Synod  to  secure  its  sanction  of  the  division.  The  first 
congregational  meeting  of  Trinity,  after  the  division,  was  held 
July  31,  1875,  for  the  purpose  of  electing  a  pastor.  Rev.  J.  H. 
Leeser  was  chosen,  during  whose  pastorate  the  synodical  relation 
was  changed  from  the  New  Jersey  to  the  East  Pennsylvania 
Synod,  and  a  fine  parsonage  erected  by  the  church.  Rev.  J.  H. 
Leeser  resigned,  to  take  effect  May  3,  1877.  Rev-  S.  Stall  re- 
ceived and  accepted  a  call  August  25,  1877,  and  took  charge  on 
the  28th  of  the  same  month.  He  resigned  November  20,  1880, 
to  take  effect  December  8  of  the  same  year.  Rev.  F.  W.  Staler 
was  chosen  as  pastor  March  25,  1881,  and  entered  upon  his 
duties  April  1.  Rev.  A.  R.  Glaze  took  charge  October  1,  1885, 
and  resigned  May  26,  1889.  Rev.  William  Hesse,  the  present 
pastor,  entered  upon  his  duties  November  to,  1S89. 


238  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

The  present  amount  paid  for  support  of  pastor  is  $700.00  and 
parsonage  ;  from  all  sources  $900.00.  There  is  no  indebtedness 
an  either  of  the  church  buildings,  and  the  Sabbath-school  is  in  ex- 
cellent working  order,  with  an  enrollment  of  152  scholars  and  23 
teachers  and  officers.  Nine  church  papers  are  taken.  Two 
young  men  are  now  entering  school  to  prepare  for  the  ministry, 
Mr.  Herbert  D.  Shinier  and  Mr.  John  I.  Burrell  Hummer.  One 
other  young  man,  Daniel  Hinkel,  now  teaching  school,  hopes  also 
to  prepare  for  the  sacred  office. 

2.  Zion's  Church,  Ackermanville. 

The  Zion's  congregation  of  Ackermanville,  Pa.,  was  organized 
by  Rev.  J.  I.  Burrell  in  the  year  1871.  A  church  was  built, 
jointly  with  the  Evangelical  Association,  in  the  year  1872.  This 
is  a  weak  congregation.  It  was  formerly  connected  with  Cen- 
treville  church,  but  has  been  connected  with  the  Martin's  Creek 
charge  ever  since  the  division  of  the  Centreville  charge,  in  1875. 
The  Sabbath-school  is  in  excellent  working  order,  and  numbers 
about  eighty,  of  whom  we  report  forty  to  Synod.  One  young 
man  of  this  congregation  has  entered  the  ministry,  Rev.  B.  F. 
Kautz,  of  Millersburg,  Pa. 


XLIX.     MESSIAH  CHURCH,  PHILADELPHIA. 

BY    REV.  E.  HUBER,  D.  D. 

Messiah  Lutheran  church,  Philadelphia,  had  its  origin  in  a 
Sunday-school  established  December  18,  1859,  by  members  of 
St.  Matthew's  Lutheran  church,  during  the  pastorship  of  Dr.  E.  W. 
Hutter.  In  honor  of  its  first  and  devoted  superintendent,  C.  Y. 
Barlow,  it  was  named,  "The  Barlow  Mission  of  St.  Matthew's 
church."  The  school  was  carried  on  for  six  years  before  any  de- 
cided steps  could  be  taken  toward  organizing  a  congregation. 
After  several  preliminary  meetings,  a  public  meeting  was  held 
December  12,  1865,  at  Thirteenth  and  Oxford  streets,  at 
which  it  was  determined  to  rent  a  hall  on  Broad  street  and  to 
hold  prayer-meetings  regularly  in  the  same.  During  January, 
1866,  the  organization  of  the  congregation  was  completed  by  the 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS. 


239 


adoption  of  a  constitution  and  the  election  of  church  officers. 
Under  the  name  of  "  Messiah  Lutheran  Church,"  the  congregation 
was  admitted  into  the  Synod  of  East  Pennsylvania  in  the  fall  of 
1866,  Dr.  Theophilus  Stork,  Sen.,  representing  it  at  that  meeting. 


MESSIAH    EVANGELICAL    LUTHERAN    CHURCH,  PHILADELPHIA,  PA. 

Regular  services  were  held  for  nearly  a  year  by  means  of  such 
supplies  as  could  be  procured,  until  November  1,  1866,  when  Dr. 
F.  W.  Conrad  took  charge  of  the  congregation,  thus  becoming  its 
first  pastor.  Under  his  ministrations  the  church  grew  rapidly  in 
numbers  and  in  influence,  the  main  part  of  the  present  house  of 
worship  was  erected,  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Sixteenth  and 
Jefferson  streets,  and  the  services  hitherto  held  in  a  hall  near 
by  were,  in  the  early  part  of  1870,  transferred  to  its  Sunday-school 


240  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

room.  After  serving  the  congregation  for  a  term  of  six  years,  Dr. 
Conrad  resigned  the  pastorship  of  the  church,  and  was  succeeded 
in  December,  1872,  by  Rev.  J.  R.  Dimm. 

In  consequence  of  reverses  in  business  among  some  of  the 
members,  the  congregation  had  become  severely  crippled  in  its 
financial  affairs,  and,  unable  to  meet  its  obligations,  was  in  danger 
of  losing  its  church  property — a  bill  of  sale  having,  in  fact,  been 
fastened  upon  its  walls  by  the  sheriff  of  the  city.  From  this  mis- 
fortune the  church  was  happily  saved  by  the  indefatigable  efforts 
of  the  pastor  and  Mr.  Christian  A.  Snyder,  the  treasurer  of  the 
congregation,  who,  during  the  short  time  allowed  them,  raised 
£4,000.00,  the  sum  required  to  redeem  the  property. 

After  serving  the  congregation  for  nearly  two  years  Rev.  Dimm 
resigned  July  1,  1874,  and  was  some  time  after  succeeded  by 
Dr.  Joel  Swartz,  who  remained  pastor  of  the  church  till  called  to 
Zion's  church  of  Harrisburg.  After  a  considerable  interval  Rev. 
Eli  Huber,  of  Nebraska  City,  was  elected  to  succeed  Dr.  Swartz, 
and  entered  upon  his  duties  in  the  congregation  the  first  Sunday 
of  March,  1876. 

About  two  years  later  the  work  of  finishing  the  church  building 
was  begun,  and  brought  to  completion  in  April,  1879.  The  fol- 
lowing constituted  the  Church  Council  at  the  time  :  William 
Boyer,  Henry  Boyer,  Henry  S.  Boner,  V.  L.  Conrad,  J.  B.  Down- 
ing, W.  H.  Fry,  A.  Hartranft,  H.  S.  Jones,  J.  T.  Monroe,  C.  A. 
Snyder,  Henry  Wile,  and  John  Wiseman. 

The  expense  incurred  in  the  finishing  of  the  church  was  about 
£23,000.00,  and,  as  there  was  a  previous  indebtedness  of  over 
$8,000.00,  upwards  of  £31,000.00  had  to  be  made  up  by  the  con- 
gregation. Over  half  of  this  amount  was  secured  by  subscrip- 
tions and  collections,  and  by  the  sale  of  certain  lots,  and  the  bal- 
ance of  $15^,000.00,  was  borrowed  on  mortgage,  individual  mem- 
bers of  the  council  making  themselves  responsible  for  the  pay- 
ment of  the  interest.  By  the  aid  of  the  Ladies'  Sinking  Fund 
Society  the  interest  has  been  regularly  paid,  and  by  successive 
annual  collections  of  about  $1,000.00  each,  the  sum  borrowed  has 
been  gradually  reduced  to  about  $5,000.00.  The  church  build- 
ing thus  secured  cost  about  $63,000.00  in  all — and  is  a  beautiful, 
commodious  and  well-finished  structure. 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATK  2J.I 

The  present  membership  of  the  congregation  is  about  315  : 
the  number  of  scholars  in  the  Sunday-school  nearly  the  same. 

The  Messiah  church  also  contributed  very  freely  toward  the 
erection  of  the  new  building  of  Pennsylvania  College,  at  Gel 
burg,  the  sum  given  being  nearly  S6;ooo.oo.  A  memorial  window 
by  the  Sunday-school,  a  fine  clock  in  the  tower,  and  the  endow- 
ment of  the  professorship  of  English  Bible,  are  abiding  I 
menials  at  Pennsylvania  College  to  the  liberality  c  f  I  -  ~gre- 
gation.  The  whole  amount  thus  secured  for  Gettysburg  out  of 
the  congregation  is  not  far  from  $35,000.00. 

The  pastor  of  the  church,  having  been  elected  to  fill  the  pro- 
fessorship thus  endowed,  resigned  the  congregation,  and  preached 
his  farewell  sermon  the  first  Sunday  in  September,  1892,  exactly 
sixteen  years  and  six  months  after  preaching  his  introductory 
sermon. 

On  the  first  Sunday  in  December  of  the  same  year,  the  work 
thus  laid  down  was  taken  up  by  Rev.  Milton  H.  Valentine,  of 
Bedford,  Pa.,  who  is  the  present  pastor.  That  the  blessing  of 
God  may  abide  upon  this  congregation  unto  the  er.  hope 

and  prayer  of  the  writer  of  this  sketch. 


L.     ST.  JOHN'S  CHURCH.  MAHANOY  CITY, 
-    EJUYLKCLL  COUNTY. 

BY  REV.  I.  P.  ZIMMERMAN. 

Until  1 86  7  but  cne  Lutheran  congregation  had  an  -  e  in 
Mahanoy  City,  and  that  was  composed  largely  of  foreign  and 
Pennsylvania  Germans.  In  the  winter  of  1866  and  1S67  the  pastor, 
Rev.  I.  C.  Burkholder  (now  Burke  ),  conducted  a  series  of  revival 
meetings,  upon  which  God's  blessing  rested  in  a  special  manner, 
resulting  in  the  conversion  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  souls. 
This,  to  many  a  new  measure,  in-  connection  with  some  other 
trouble  existing  in  the  congregation,  resulted  in  a  division  of  its 
members,  and  the  establishment  of  a  second  Lutheran  church  in 
Mahanoy  City,  with  the  Rev.  I.  C.  Burkholder  as  pastor.  Ac- 
cordingly, on  August  7,  1867,  a  new  ■■_  :.:ion  was  effected, 
seventy-nine  members  signing  the  constitution,  under  the  name 


242  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

of  "St.  John's  English  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  of  the  Gen- 
eral Synod." 

This  new  organization  at  once  went  to  work  to  secure  lots  and 
build  for  themselves  a  church.  In  the  meantime  they  continued 
to  worship  in  the  old  church  to  which  they  formerly  belonged. 
The  lots  were  secured  from  the  Philadelphia  &  Reading  Coal  and 
Iron  Company,  the  congregation  paying  six  hundred  ($600.00) 
dollars  for  one  lot  and  the  company  donating  the  other.  In  the 
same  year  the  congregation  reared  upon  these  lots  a  frame  struc- 
ture for  a  church,  at  a  cost,  when  completed,  of  $4,500.00.  Rev. 
I.  C.  Burkholder  remained  pastor  of  the  congregation  until  April, 
1869,  when  he  resigned.  During  the  two  years  of  his  pastorate 
of  the  new  congregation,  several  protracted  efforts  were  held,  and 
by  this  means  and  catechisation  forty-three  more  members  were 
added. 

A  vacancy  now  occurred,  continuing  until  October,  1869, 
when  Rev.  Reuben  Weiser  became  the  pastor.  He  remained  in 
that  position  until  January,  18  71.  During  Rev.  Weiser's  pastor- 
ate a  few  German  sermons  were  preached,  which  was  about  all 
the  preaching  in  that  language  the  congregation  ever  had. 

In  February,  1871,  a  call  was  extended  to  Rev.  D.  Beckner,  of 
Antes  Fort,  Pa.,  which  was  accepted,  and  he  entered  upon  his 
duties  as  pastor  March  13,  18  71. 

In  the  summer  of  1872  the  church  was  papered  and  re-painted. 
In  the  fall  of  1873  a  parsonage  was  built  on  the  same  lot  upon 
which  the  church  now  stands.  The  following  year,  1874,  the 
church  was  carpeted,  and  gas  introduced. 

Rev.  D.  Beckner  resigned  May  1,  1875.  During  the  few 
months'  vacancy  which  followed,  the  Sunday-school  conducted 
an  excursion  to  Fairmount  Park,  Philadelphia,  and  netted  $656.00, 
which  was  appropriated  to  the  local  indebtedness,  and  Sunday- 
school  library. 

On  October  1,  1875,  Rev.  J.  M.  Steck  took  charge  as  pas- 
tor. The  congregation,  though  having  advanced  greatly  in  tem- 
poral affairs,  had  not  gained  much  in  membership,  as  Rev.  Steck 
reports  an  enrollment  of  seventy-seven  on  taking  charge,  and  a 
Sunday-school  of  ninety,  mostly  little  children.  When  he  re- 
signed, March  1,  1880,  he  reports   127  members  of  the  congre- 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  243 

gation,  and  the  highest  number  present  at  any  time  in  Sunday- 
school,  264. 

During  this  pastorate,  in  1879,  the  church  was  enlarged  by  the 
building  of  a  brick  front  twenty  by  forty-two  feet.  New  pews 
were  placed  in  the  auditorium,  walls  papered,  floor  re-carpeted, 
new  pulpit  furniture  secured,  and  heaters  placed  in  the  cellar. 
The  cost  of  the  improvements  was  $2,900.00.  Rev.  H.  Ziegler, 
D.  D.,  preached  the  sermon  at  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of 
the  new  front.  Rev.  W.  W.  Criley  delivered  the  sermon  at  the 
re-dedication  of  the  church  as  now  enlarged  and  improved,  Rev. 
John  McCron,  D.  D.,  preaching  in  the  evening. 

While  pastor  of  the  congregation,  Rev.  Steck  began  preaching 
at  Delano,  Pa.,  and  received  fourteen  persons  into  church  fellow- 
ship, mostly  married  persons. 

Mr.  Newton  H.  Follmer,  who  subsequently  prepared  for  the 
ministry  and  is  now  pastor  of  the  Yeagertown  charge,  Mifflin  co., 
Pa.,  was  received  as  a  member  of  the  congregation  in  1876. 

Upon  the  resignation  of  Rev.  J.  M.  Steck,  a  call  was  extended 
to  Rev.  J.  W.  Lake,  who  accepted  and  entered  upon  the  field 
March  1,  1880.  His  pastorate,  however,  proved  a  very  brief  one, 
as  his  resignation  was  tendered  and  accepted  June  1,  1881. 

A  vacancy  of  seven  and  a  half  months  now  occurred,  when 
Rev.  Wm.  H.  Lewars  accepted  a  unanimous  call  tendered  him 
January  15,  1882.  A  pastorate  of  four  years  and  nine  months 
was  the  result  of  this  union,  when,  on  October  15,  1886,  Rev. 
Lewars  severed  his  connection  with  the  congregation. 

During  this  pastorate  a  balance  of  indebtedness  on  the  parson- 
age was  paid. 

A  Literary  Society  was  organized  by  Rev.  Lewars,  which  still 
continues  its  semi-monthly  meetings  at  the  homes  of  a  number  of 
the  members,  and  is  aiding  the  congregation  much  financially  and 
socially.     The  benevolence  also  exceeded  that  of  former  years. 

After  Rev.  Lewars'  resignation  the  congregation  remained 
without  a  pastor  until  May  1st,  1887,  when  the  Rev.  J.  R.  Sample 
took  charge,  but  remained  only  three  months. 

On  September  1,  1887,  Rev.  T.  P.  Zimmerman,  the  present 
pastor,  took  charge.  At  this  time  the  congregation  numbered 
one  hundred  and  twenty-eight  members,  but  preaching  at  Delano, 


244  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

which  had  been  discontinued,  was  soon  resumed,  and  twenty- 
eight  members  re-enroiled,  making  a  total  of  156.  The  relation 
now  formed  proved  a  very  pleasant  one  indeed.  The  first  year, 
a  large  catechetical  class  was  formed,  which  resulted  in  an  acces- 
sion of  sixty  souls  on  faster,  1888.  The  salary  of  the  pastor  was 
advanced  from  $700.00  to  $750.00  the  first  year.  In  the  summer 
of  1888  an  addition  of  four  rooms  was  built  to  the  west  end  of  the 
parsonage,  and  the  home  of  the  pastor  supplied  with  bath-room, 
etc.  At  the  same  time  the  church  was  ie-papered  and  painted, 
the  cost  of  all  the  improvements  to  church  and  parsonage  being 
about  $1,700.00.  The  re- opening  of  the  church  took  place  on  Oc- 
tober 14,  1888.  The  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  J.  A.  Wirt,  ot 
Hughesville,  Pa.,  and  the  money  solicited  by  him  more  than  cov- 
ered the  indebtedness. 

On  January  1,  1888,  a  Woman's  Home  and  Foreign  Missionary 
Society  was  formed,  and  on  February  29  of  same  year,  a  Young 
Ladies'  Mission  Band  was  organized,  both  of  which  are  doing 
good  work.     The  latter  is  educating  a  boy  in  India. 

During  the  short  pastorate  of  Rev.  J.  R.  Sample,  a  Band  of 
Hope  was  organized  among  the  children,  which  was  subsequently 
changed  into  a  Loyal  Temperance  Legion,  and  has  rendered  good 
service,  with  a  membership  of  over  one  hundred. 

In  the  first  year  of  the  present  pastorate  the  envelope  system 
was  introduced  in  raising  money  for  benevolent  purposes.  This 
at  once  brought  system  into  the  work,  and  in  five  years  the 
amount  raised  has  increased  from  $166.62  to  $579.48.  In  April, 
1890,  the  church  was  re-carpeted.  At  a  congregational  meeting 
in  May,  1890,  the  salary  of  the  pastor  was  increased  from  $750.00 
to  $900.00. 

In  October,  1890,  a  Young  People's  Society  of  Christian  En- 
deavor was  organized  with  seventeen  members,  which  has  had  a 
steady  growth,  numerically  and  spiritually,  now  numbering  sixty 
members.     This  society  is  educating  a  young  man  in  India. 

On  the  suggestion  of  Mr.  A.  B.  Wagner,  Secretary  of  the 
church  council,  that  body  appointed  at  their  meeting,  the  first 
Monday  evening  in  September,  1891,  a  committee  of  eight,  four 
ladies  and  four  gentlemen,  known  as  the  Christian  Helper  Com- 
mittee, whose  duty  it  shall   be  to  look  after  the  sick,  poor,  negli- 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  245 

gent  and  timid  of  the  congregation,  and  make  special  effort  for 
their  encouragement.  This  committee  has  proved  itself  very  help- 
ful to  the  pastor  in  church  work. 

In  August,  1 89 1,  the  pastor  succeeded  in  influencing  eight 
families  to  place  as  many  memorial  stained-glass  windows  in  the 
auditorium. 

On  September  6,  1892,  a  Junior  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor 
was  organized  with  twenty-seven  members.  The  Sunday-school 
has  been  growing  gradually,  now  numbering  three  hundred.  The 
present  membership  of  the  congregation  is  three  hundred  in  good 
standing.  The  salary  paid  at  present  is  $900.00,  parsonage, 
water  rent,  and  fuel.  The  number  of  Lutheran  Observers  taken 
is  fifty-eight ;  the  number  of  Lutheran  Missionary  Journals 
taken,  ninety-two.  The  congregation  is  free  of  debt.  The  value 
of  church  property  is  $10,000.00. 

The  present  year's  benevolence  is  $549.48.  One  candidate  is 
in  preparation  for  the  gospel  ministry,  Mr.  Fred.  R.  Wagner  hav- 
ing entered  upon  a  course  of  study  at  Missionary  Institute,  Selins- 
grove,  Pa.,  August  25,  1892. 


LI.     BETHANY  CHURCH,  MILLERSVILLE, 
LANCASTER  COUNTY. 

BY  MR.  HENRY  BOWMAN. 

The  history  of  our  General  Synod  Lutheran  church  in  Millers- 
ville,  Pa.,  begins  with  an  unhappy  division,  which  took  place  after 
the  formation  of  the  General  Council  in  1866.  As  a  result,  both 
parties  were  left  numerically  weak,  and  the  work  of  the  church 
materially  crippled.  At  the  time  of  the  division  Rev.  J.  R.  Focht 
was  pastor  in  charge,  who,  with  a  minority  of  the  members,  on 
January  22,  1867, 

"  Resolved,  to  remain  in  connection  with  the  General  Synod, 
believing  that  by  so  doing  we  can  best  promote  the  spiritual  wel- 
fare of  the  congregation." 

They  were,  in  consequence,  ejected  from  their  church-home  and 
compelled  to  organize  and  build  for  themselves.  For  a  number 
of  years  the  little  band  (about  fifty)  were  subjected  to  the  inconve- 
niences and  disadvantages  of  worshiping  in  a  hall.     In  the  mean- 


246  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

time  Rev.  Focht  resigned  the  charge,  and  Rev.  J.  Kaempfer  was 
called,  who  commenced  his  labors  as  pastor  June  1,  1868.  He, 
however,  remained  only  a  short  time,  and  the  congregation  was 
then  supplied,  until  1875,  by  Rev-  B-  C.  Suesserott,  then  pastor 
of  St.  John's  in  Lancaster  city.  After  his  death  the  work  was 
taken  up  by  Rev.  W.  S.  Porr,  at  that  time  pastor  of  St.  Stephen's 
of  Lancaster.  Under  his  pastoral  direction  a  neat  brick  church 
(thirty-five  by  fifty-five  feet)  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  about 
$3,000.00,  and  dedicated,  free  of  debt,  some  time  in  the  early 
part  of  1877.  Having  once  more  a  church  home  of  their  own, 
the  congregation  entered  anew  upon  its  mission  among  the 
churches.  After  a  successful  pastorate  of  about  six  years,  Rev. 
Porr  resigned  October  1,  1880.  The  congregation  again  turned 
to  the  pastor  of  St.  John's  in  Lancaster,  and  arranged  with  Rev. 
R.  W.  Hufford  for  their  supply.  This,  however,  was  soon  termi- 
nated by  a  call  of  the  pastor  to  Easton,  Pa.  Synod  now  recom- 
mended a  union  of  Millersville  with  the  Neffsville  congregation, 
and  the  two  were  served  by  a  number  of  pastors.  Rev.  J.  W. 
Eckert,  from  March  1,  1881,  to  about  the  close  of  1882.  Rev. 
F.  Aurand  entered  the  charge  November  4,  1883,  and  remained 
less  than  one  year.  Then,  in  September,  1884,  Rev.  A.  M.  Whet- 
stone accepted  a  call,  and  remained  until  December  1,  1885. 
But  the  union  of  the  two  congregations  never  appeared  very  con- 
genial, and  hence  Neffsville  refused  to  co-operate  any  longer,  and 
applied  to  another  pastorate  for  their  supply.  Synod,  being  very 
accommodating,  passed  the  matter  by,  and  left  Millersville  again 
unable  to  support  a  regular  pastor.  Having,  however,  the  advan- 
tage of  a  State  Normal  School  in  the  place,  the  congregation  has 
not  been  long  at  any  time  without  a  regular  supply.  February  1 1, 
1887,  Rev.  J.  W.  Goodlin,  then  of  York,  Pa.,  accepted  a  unani- 
mous call  from  the  congregation,  and  moved  to  Millersville. 
With  this  arrangement  the  people  were  happy,  but  only  soon  to 
be  sadly  disappointed,  when  in  a  little  less  than  two  years  their 
beloved  pastor  received  and  accepted  a  call  to  Tyro,  Ohio.  For 
about  six  months  following  Rev.  Herbert  C.  Alleman,  then  a  the- 
ological student,  supplied  the  congregation.  In  September,  1889, 
Rev.  A.  W.  Lentz  moved  to  Millersville,  in  order  to  take  a  needed 
rest.  His  services  were  soon  secured,  and  he  has  continued  with 
entire  pastoral  care  until  the  date  of  this  history. 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  247 

LII.     GRACE  CHURCH,  PHILADELPHIA. 

BY  REV.  J.  H.  MAIN. 

During  the  year  1867  Rev.  P.  Willard,  Rev.  F.  Klinefelter  and 
other  ministers  preached  statedly  for  a  short  time  to  congregations 
which  met  in  a  hall  on  the  north-west  corner  of  Thirty-fifth  and 
Haverford  Streets,  West  Philadelphia.  In  February,  1868,  Rev.  S. 
A.  Holman,  under  the  auspices  of  a  missionary  society  composed 
of  members  of  St.  Matthew's,  St.  Andrew's  and  Messiah  churches, 
Philadelphia,  commenced  preaching  in  the  above  hall.  Under 
his  ministry  twenty-one  members  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran 
church  formed  themselves  into  an  organization,  known  as  "  Grace 
Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,"  on  April  5,  1868.  During  his 
administration,  in  July,  1870,  a  lot  on  the  southeast  corner  of 
Thirty-eighth  and  Mt.  Vernon  streets  was  taken  on  mortgage,  and 
immediately  the  congregation,  with  about  $300.00,  which  they  had 
themselves  contributed  and  received  by  collections,  began  to 
build  a  brick  chapel.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  in  July,  1870,  and 
the  chapel  consecrated  November,  1870,  at  which  latter  date  over 
$500.00  was  raised.  The  entire  cost  of  the  chapel  was  $3,200.00. 
Contributions  were  solicited  during  the  months  of  February  and 
March,  1872,  and  sufficient  was  raised  to  pay  off  the  entire  re- 
maining indebtedness. 

Services  were  held  in  the  above-named  chapel  until  November 
9,  1873,  when  Rev.  Holman  relinquished  the  charge,  and,  with 
twenty  of  its  members,  who  withdrew,  formed  another  organiza- 
tion, known  as  "Calvary."  The  Sunday-school  and  week-day 
services  were  kept  up  by  the  members,  and  the  pulpit  supplied 
occasionally  by  ministers  of  the  Lutheran  and  other  churches. 

The  congregation  remained  in  this  condition  for  one  year, 
when,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Philadelphia  Conference  held  in  the 
chapel  November,  1874,  Rev.  P.  Raby  was  appointed  to  supply 
the  charge  temporarily  and  report  to  the  conference  from  time  to 
time  its  condition  and  prospects.  As  this  arrangement  was  of 
the  nature  of  a  supply  for  an  indefinite  period,  and  as  Rev. 
Raby  was  in  poor  health,  he  reported  the  charge  vacant  and 
urged  conference  to  provide  a  regular  pastor. 


248  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

At  a  special  meeting  of  Conference  it  was  resolved  unanimously 
to  appropriate  $400.00  for  one  year,  with  the  expectation  that 
the  congregation  would  raise  $200.00  more  for  support  of  a  pastor. 
Brother  Raby  at  the  same  time  was  appointed  missionary  for  one 
year.  He  accepted,  taking  charge  May  23,  1875.  From  the 
close  of  this  term  until  the  fall  of  1877,  the  charge  was  without  a 
regular  pastor.  The  Sunday-school  and  prayer-meetings  were 
kept  up,  with  a  minister  occasionally  filling  the  pulpit. 

In  the  fall  of  1877  the  present  church  building  at  Thirty-fifth 
and  Spring  Garden  streets  was  purchased  from  the  Presby- 
terians by  the  Board  of  Church  Extension,  with  a  mortgage  of 
$7,000.00,  $3,000.00  being  paid  by  the  Board,  who  still  hold  the 
deed. 

After  a  number  of  repairs  on  the  building,  the  congregation 
called  Rev.  J.  H.  Menges  as  pastor,  who  accepted,  entering  upon 
the  work  in  February,  1878.  He  served  the  congregation  until 
July,  1 89 1.  Rev.  J.  H.  Mam,  the  present  incumbent,  preached  a 
trial  sermon  September  6,  1 891,  was  called  in  the  same  month,  and 
entered  upon  the  work  of  the  charge  October  25,  1891.  May 
the  blessing  of  Christ,  the  Head  of  the  Church,  abide  with  this 
people  forever  ! 


LIII.     ST.  PAUL'S  CHURCH,  EASTON.* 

BY  REV.  R.  W.  HUFfORD,  D.  D. 

One  of  the  least  edifying  things  ever  seen,  in  this  world  of  in- 
finite variety,  is  a  church  quarrel.  It  would  be  pleasant  to  be 
able  to  say  that  such  a  thing  is  unknown.  The  demands  of  truth, 
however,  forbid  such  felicitous  romancing.  Not  a  few  of  the 
churches  now  doing  good  work  had  their  origin  in  the  throes  of 
unseemly  strife.  The  swarm  went  forth  because  of  a  disturbance 
within  the  hive. 

*  Note. — The  first  Lutheran  pastor  whose  la  bors  are  upon  record  in  what  is 
now  the  city  of  Easton  was  Rev.  John  Justus  Jacob  Berkinstock,  1740  to 
1748.     From  the  latter  year  until    1 868.  when  St.  Paul's  was  organized,  the 


SKETCHES   OF   CONGREGATIONS.  249 

St.  Paul's  is  a  child  of  Christ  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  ; 
but  when  the  child  left  the  old  home  there  was  no  marked  display 
of  parental  and  filial  tenderness.  The  trouble  was,  there  were 
two  parties  in  the  mother  church  ;  the  one  in  sympathy  with 
General  Council  Lutheranism,  the  other  decidedly  General  Synod 
in  its  preferences.  Christ  Lutheran  Church  had  belonged  to  the 
Synod  of  East  Pennsylvania,  and,  thereby,  to  the  General  Synod, 
for  many  years.  But  in  the  ecclesiastical  unrest  of  1866  and 
1867  a  movement  started,  that  finally  took  Christ  Church  into 
the  General  Council,  and  supplied  the  place  thus  left  vacant  by 
the  organization  and  building  of  St.  Paul's. 

Considerable  bitterness  of  feeling  was  engendered,  and  some 
things  were  said  and  done  that  no  follower  of  the  Master  can  re- 
call with  pleasure.  But  time — "that  makes  all  things  even" — 
has  done  his  kindly  work,  and  the  two  churches  and  their 
pastors,  though  in  different  Synods,  are  on  friendly  terms  to- 
day, and  we  trust  that  no  cause  of  strife  will  ever  again  disturb 
them. 

The  first  minute  in  the  record-book  of  St.  Paul's  is  dated  April 
17,  1868,  and  is  as  follows  : 

"  A  meeting  of  the  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church  was  held 
this  evening  in  the  First  Baptist  Church.  The  meeting  organized 
with  the  election  of  Mr.  John  Eyerman  as  Chairman,  and  C.  E. 
Hecht,  Secretary.  Mr.  Eyerman  stated  the  object  of  the  meet- 
ing to  be  to  consult  together  as  to  our  duty,  in  view  of  the  dis- 
tracted condition  of  so  many  Lutheran  families,  and  the  with- 
drawal of  other  entire  families  from  any  Lutheran  communion. 
He  urged  all  who  loved  the  Lutheran  Church,  to  consider  well 
whether  it  was  not  our  duty  to  organize  a  third  Lutheran  congre- 
gation in  Easton,  in  which  all  could  unite." 

original  St.  John's  congregation  was  served  by  the  following  ministers :  Revs. 
Henry  Melchior  Muhlenberg  and  John  Nicholas  Kurtz,  1749;  Rudolph 
Schrenk,  1 749-1 754;  Bernard  Michael  Hausihl,  1 763-1 764c  ?) ;  Christian 
Streit,  1 769-1 779;  J.  Frederick  Ernst,  1 780-1 782;  Solomon  Friederici, 
1782-179S;  A_ugustus  Herman  Schmidt,  1799-1801;  Christian  F.  L.  En- 
dress,  1801-1815;  John  P.  Hecht,  1815-1845;  John  W.  Richards,  1845- 
1851;  C.  F.  Schaffer,  1851-1856;  Benjamin  Sadtler,  1856-1862;  B.  M. 
Schmucker,  1 862-1 S67. 

The  pastors  of  Christ  Lutheran  Church  from  its  establishment  until  the 
same  date  were:  George  Diehl,  1843-1851;  Charles  Smith,  1851-1854; 
E.  Greenwald,  1854-1867;    W.  P.  Ruthrauff,  1867-1870. 


25O  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

After  further  consideration,  a  resolution,  offered  by  Mr.  Henry 
Bender  and  seconded  by  Mr.  J.  M.  Dreisbach,  "that  we  will  form 
ourselves  into  a  Lutheran  Religious  Society,"  was  adopted  by  a 
unanimous  vote. 

At  this  meeting  steps  were  also  taken  to  rent  the  Baptist  church 
for  alternate  Sabbaths,  organize  a  Sunday-school,  and  raise  money 
for  necessary  expenses.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  secure 
pulpit  supplies.  The  temporary  organization  thus  effected  was 
soon  superseded  by  a  permanent  organization,  which  was  char- 
tered as  "St.  Paul's  (Third)  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  of 
Easton."  The  charter  members,  regularly  dismissed  from  Christ 
church,  numbered  forty-nine.  Shortly  afterwards  quite  a  large 
additional  number  was  received  from  the  same  church. 

The  first  sermon  to  the  new  congregation  was  preached  May 
24,  1868,  by  Rev.  Theophilus  Stork,  D.  D.,  of  Philadelphia.  On 
the  following  Sabbath,  May  31,  Rev.  Henry  N.  Pohlman,  D.  D., 
of  Albany,  N.  Y.,  President  of  the  General  Synod,  occupied  the 
pulpit.  Thus,  at  the  beginning,  the  new  enterprise  received  aid 
and  encouragement  by  the  presence  and  counsel  of  two  of  the 
most  prominent  clergymen  of  the  church. 

At  a  congregational  meeting,  held  August  13,  1868,  the  first 
church  council  was  elected,  consisting  of  four  elders,  viz.,  John 
Eyerman,  Henry  Bender,  George  Sweeny  and  John  Armbrust ; 
and  four  deacons,  viz.,  James  M.  Dreisbach,  David  Pyatt,  D.  B. 
Miller  and  R.  H.  Bixler.  At  this  meeting  also  the  Rev.  Joseph 
H.  Barclay,  of  Red  Hook,  N.  Y.,  was  unanimously  chosen  the  first 
pastor  of  St.  Paul's.  He  received  all  the  votes  of  the  male  mem- 
bers present — the  ladies  having,  at  a  previous  meeting,  unani- 
mously decided  "  that  it  was  their  duty  to  abstain  from  participat- 
ing in  any  election."  This  preference  on  the  part  of  the  female 
members  was  afterwards  embodied  in  the  Constitution  of  the 
church,  except  that  they  are  permitted  to  vote  at  the  election  of 
a  pastor.  All  other  elections  are  conducted  by  the  male  members 
in  good  standing. 

Rev.  Barclay's  pastorate  began  December  1,  1868,  when  he 
was  installed  by  Rev.  Drs.  E.  W.  Hutter,  of  Philadelphia,  and  A. 
C.  Wedekind,  of  New  York,  and  continued  to  October  1,  1872, 
nearly  four  years.     During  this  time  the  church  building  on  North 


ST.  PAUL'S  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN  CHURCH,  EAS  ION,  PA. 
(251) 


252  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

Fourth  street  was  erected,  at  a  cost  of  about  $13,000.00.  Its 
dedication  took  place  January  9,  1870.  The  dedicatory  sermon 
was  preached,  contrary  to  the  usual  custom,  by  the  pastor  him- 
self— not  from  choice,  however.  The  services  of  Drs.  John 
McCron,  of  Baltimore,  and  A.  C.  VVedekind,  of  New  York,  had 
been  engaged  for  the  occasion  ;  but,  at  the  appointed  time,  Dr. 
McCron  was  kept  away  by  sickness  and  Dr.  Wedekind  missed 
the  train  !  It  was  during  Dr.  Barclay's  pastorate  that  a  mission 
was  started  on  College  Hill  which  has  since  developed  into  St. 
Peter's  (Fifth)  Lutheran  Church  of  Easton.  After  serving 
churches  in  Baltimore,  and  Dayton,  Ohio,  for  about  fifteen  years, 
Dr.  Barclay  died  in  Baltimore,  October  13,  1887. 

The  second  pastor  of  St.  Paul's  was  Rev.  Harvey  W.  Mc- 
Knight,  called  from  Newville,  Pa.  He  was  elected  almost 
unanimously  (but  one  negative  vote  being  cast).  November  6, 
and  took  charge  of  the  church  a  few  weeks  later,  December  1, 
1872.  The  church  was  not  less  fortunate  in  the  choice  of  its 
second  pastor  than  it  had  been  in  its  choice  of  the  first.  Pastor 
McKnight's  ministry  in  Easton  lasted  seven  years  and  five 
months,  and  was  marked  by  decided  success.  He  was  popular 
in  his  congregation  and  outside  of  it,  and  received  large  ac- 
cessions to  the  church.  He  found  the  church  burdened  with  a 
debt  of  $7,000.00,  the  greater  part  of  which  was  paid  before  the 
close  of  his  pastorate. 

May  1,  1880,  the  pulpit  of  St.  Paul's  again  became  vacant,  the 
pastor  having  accepted  a  call  to  the  First  English  Lutheran 
church  of  Cincinnati.  This  second  pastor  of  St.  Paul's  is  well 
known  to-day  as  the  Rev.  Doctor  McKnight,  President  of  Penn- 
sylvania College  at  Gettysburg. 

After  an  interim  of  seven  months,  during  which  the  congrega- 
tion heard  quite  a  number  of  candidates — two  of  whom  declined 
calls  extended — the  third  pastor  was  chosen,  in  the  person  of 
Rufus  Ward  Hufford,  then  serving  St.  John's  Lutheran  church, 
Lancaster,  Pa.  The  election  was  held  October  18,  1880,  the 
candidate  receiving  all  the  votes  cast  but  one.  On  the  first  Sun- 
day of  December  following,  the  newly-elected  pastor  entered 
upon  his  work  in  Easton.  Twelve  years  have  passed  since  that 
time,  but  the  third  pastorate  of  St.   Paul's  has  not  yet  ended. 


SKETCHES   OF    CONGREGATIONS.  253 

After  its  close  will  be  a  more  befitting  time  to  write  its  history. 

The  communicant  membership  of  the  church  is  about  two  hun- 
dred and  seventy-five.  The  elders  at  this  time  are  Eli  M.  Fox, 
Samuel  Kleinhans,  Alvin  F.  Nolf  and  Ephraim  Myers.  The 
deacons  are  John  F.  Hess,  William  A.  Lanterman,  John  Manning 
and  George  W.  Hartzell.  During  the  past  year  the  church  gave 
$502.40  to  benevolence — $1.86  per  member. 

The  Sunday-school  numbers  about  two  hundred,  teachers  and 
scholars.  One  member  of  the  school  is  now  a  junior  at  college 
preparing  for  the  gospel  ministry  in  the  Lutheran  church.  A 
Christian  Endeavor  Society,  organized  within  the  past  two  years, 
has  fifty-five  members  and  is  an  efficient  aid  to  the  church,  being 
at  present  enrolled  in  the  number  of  those  that  have  volunteered 
to  support  our  last  missionary  to  India.  A  Dorcas  Society  of 
forty  members,  and  a  Young  Girls'  Mission  Band,  complete  the  list 
of  organizations  within  the  church. 


LIV.     EMANUEL'S  CHURCH,  WILLIAMSTOWN, 
DAUPHIN  COUNTY. 

BY  REV.  J.  A.  ADAMS. 

This  congregation  began  to  exist  in  the  year  1871.  About  the 
first  of  April  of  that  year,  Rev.  Daniel  Kloss  began  to  conduct 
services  here  in  school  houses  and  in  churches  of  other  denom- 
inations, as  these  places  were  available.  Some  time  during  the 
last  of  April  an  organization  was  effected,  numbering  about 
twenty  members,  with  the  following  officers  :  Elders — E.  W. 
Zerby  and  Frederick  Shindler ;  Deacons — Alfred  Reiser  and 
Charles  Highland ;  Trustees — W.  Roenig,  J.  Hartman  and  J. 
Erdmarr.  On  May  7,  1871,  a  constitution  was  adopted,  and  the 
name,  "  Emanuel's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,"  agreed  upon 
for  the  congregation. 

This  congregation  was  served  by  Rev.  Rloss  in  connection  with 
that  of  Lykens,  the  two  constituting  "  The  Lykens  Lutheran  Pas- 
torate," the  pastor  preaching  once  a  Sabbath  at  Williamstown,  and 
receiving  as  salary  from  this  congregation  $175.00,  $200.00,  and 
$225.00  per  annum.  Brother  Rloss  served  this  congregation 
until  some  time  in  the  spring  of  1877,  his  resignation  having  been 


2  54  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

accepted  on  March  22.  During  his  ministry  of  six  years  the 
church  record  shows  the  following  :  Infant  baptisms,  87  ;  confir- 
mations, 68;  marriages,  10;  burials  26. 

A  lot  was  purchased,  and  a  church  building,  thirty-five  by 
fifty-five  feet,  was  erected  thereon,  the  corner-stone  of  which  was 
laid  A.  D.  1874,  and  the  building  completed  during  the  year,  at  a 
cost  of  about  $2,500.00,  about  $900.00  remaining  unpaid  at  the 
close  of  Brother  Kloss'  labors  in  the  charge. 

During  the  month  of  May,  1877,  Rev.  J.  A.  Wirt  was  called  as 
pastor  of  the  charge,  who  served  "the  Lykens  Lutheran  pastor- 
ate" until  January  1883,  a  period  of  about  five  years  and  eight 
months,  when  he  tendered  his  resignation.  Rev.  Wirt  labored  in 
the  Williamstown  congregation  with  great  acceptance  to  the  peo- 
ple and  good  results.  He  received  as  salary  from  this  congrega- 
tion $200.00  and  $266.66  per  annum.  We  can  not,  however,  give 
a  detailed  account  of  accessions  and  losses  during  his  stay  with 
this  people  as  pastor,  as  we  have  a  record  only  of  infant  baptisms 
and  burials,  the  former  numbering  62  and  the  latter  27.  During 
this  pastorate  the  debt  of  nine  hundred  and  some  dollars,  resting 
on  the  church  property  when  Rev.  Kloss  left,  was  liquidated, 
and  the  church  property  repaired  and  improved  at  a  cost  of  be- 
tween five  and  six  hundred  dollars,  all  of  which  was  paid  before 
Rev.  Wirt  vacated  the  charge. 

Rev.  M.  L.  Heisler  was  called  as  Rev.  Wirt's  successor,  began 
his  labors  in  May,  1883,  and  continued  to  be  the  pastor  until 
April,  1886,  a  period  of  about  three  years.  He  received  as  salary 
from  this  congregation  $300.00  per  annum.  During  Rev. 
Heisler's  labors  in  the  pastorate  the  Church  Record  gives  the  fol- 
lowing :  Infant  baptisms,  t,^  ;  confirmation,  etc.,  1  7  ;  marriages, 
4  ;  burials,  16.  Within  the  same  time  the  church  property  was  re- 
paired and  improved,  at  a  cost  of  between  one  hundred  and  two 
hundred  dollars. 

At  a  congregational  meeting  held  December  31,  1885,  Em- 
manuel's Evangelical  Lutheran  congregation  of  Williamstown, 
up  to  this  time  a  part  of  "The  Lykens  Lutheran  Pastorate," 
decided  to  separate  from  the  Lykens  congregation,  and  in  itself 
constitute  a  charge  and  support  a  pastor.  At  a  joint  council 
meeting  of  "The  Lykens  Lutheran  Pastorate,"  January  1,  1886, 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  255 

this  action  of  the  Williamstown  congregation  was  made  known. 
There  being  no  objection  on  the  part  of  the  Lykens  congrega- 
tion, the  desire  of  the  Williamstown  congregation  was  cheerfully 
granted,  the  arrangement  to  go  into  effect  April  i,  1886. 

On  February  28,  1886,  Rev.  M.  S.  Romig  was  elected  pastor. 
He  began  his  labors  April  1,  and  continued  his  ministry  among 
this  people  until  January  1,  1888,  a  period  of  one  year  and  nine 
months.  He  received  as  salary  six  hundred  dollars  per  annum, 
out  of  which  he  was  to  pay  the  rent  of  a  house.  The  Church 
Record  gives  as  the  result  of  his  labors  the  following  :  infant 
baptisms,  45  ;  confirmations,  etc.,  44  ;  burials,  21. 

The  congregation  was  without  a  pastor,  being  served  only  by 
supplies,  from  January  1,  1888,  until  April  1,  of  the  same  year, 
when  the  present  pastor,  Rev.  J.  A.  Adams,  began  his  labo:s 
in  this  relation.  During  his  ministry  (April  1,  1888,  to  Sep- 
tember 1,  1892,  the  date  of  this  writing),  a  period  of  four 
years  and  five  months,  the  church-book  records  the  following  : 
infant  baptisms  79,  confirmations,  etc.,  101,  marriages  15,  burials 
30,  losses  by  letter,  etc.,  40.  The  congregation  now  numbers  147 
members.  It  has  a  circulation  of  between  forty-five  and  fifty 
copies  of  church  papers  among  its  members.  During  the  time 
of  the  present  pastor's  ministry,  a  good  and  pleasant  parsonage, 
conveniently  located,  has  been  purchased  by  the  congregation, 
which,  with  repairs  and  improvements,  has  cost  not  less  than 
eighteen  hundred  dollars,  all  of  which  has  been  provided  for. 
The  salary  of  the  present  pastor  is  six  hundred  dollars  and  par- 
sonage. 

A  Sunday-school  in  connection  with  the  congregation  was  es- 
tablished about  the  same  time  that  the  congregation  was  organ- 
ized. It  has  been  doing  a  good  work,  and  now  numbers  about 
two  hundred  members.  A  little  over  a  year  since,  a  Young  Peo- 
ple's Luther  Alliance  was  organized,  which  continues  to  exist  and 
to  be  helpful  to  pastor  and  people. 

It  is  worthy  of  note  that  Mr.  E.  W.  Zerby,  who  is  a  member  of 
the  congregation  at  present,  was  one  of  the  original  members  of 
the  organization,  and  has  been  in  connection  with  the  congrega- 
tion ever  since,  serving  most  of  the  time  as  an  officer,  and  as 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school. 


256  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

LV.     MEMORIAL  CHURCH,  HARRISBURG. 

BY  KKV.  S.  DASHER. 

This  enterprise  was  begun  about  the  middle  of  November, 
1867,  by  a  number  of  Sunday-school  workers  of  the  Zion  Luth- 
eran Church  of  Harrisburg,  then  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Rev. 
G.  F.  Stelling.  The  Sunday-school  was  organized  in  a  small 
school-house  on  the  Jonestown  Road,  near  the  present  location 
of  the  church.  Its  sessions  were  held  in  the  morning  during  the 
entire  year,  until  about  four  years  ago,  when  they  were  changed 
to  the  afternoon. 

On  September  17,  1868,  Mr.  Shoop  and  wife  conveyed  to 
the  Trustees  of  the  Zion  church  the  lot  of  ground  situated  at  the 
corner  of  Fifteenth  and  Shoop  streets  in  the  said  city,  fronting 
loo  feet  on  Fifteenth  street  and  T05  feet  on  Shoop  street,  on 
which  the  present  church  building  stands.  On  this  lot  of  ground 
a  chapel  was  erected  by  the  Zion  Lutheran  church  under  the 
supervision  of  the  above-named  pastor,  the  corner-stone  of  which 
was  laid  on  September  28,  1868,  and  the  superstructure  com- 
pleted about  June  1,  1869.  It  was  a  one-story  frame  building, 
with  seating  capacity  for  about  225  persons.  It  was  set  apart 
and  consecrated  under  the  name  and  title  of  the  "Lutheran 
Jubilee  Chapel."  On  the  same  day,  the  Sunday-school  entered 
its  new  and  then  commodious  home,  and  continued  efficient  and 
successful  work  up  to  the  close  of  the  year  1871,  when  the  council 
and  pastor,  Rev.  G.  F.  Stelling,  D.  D.,  of  Zion  Lutheran  church, 
tendered  a  unanimous  call  to  Rev.  S.  Dasher.  After  many 
earnest  entreaties  the  call  was  accepted,  the  salary  being  $600.00, 
and  the  pastor  required  to  find  his  own  residence. 

The  first  sermon  was  preached  by  the  pastor,  on  the  morning 
of  January  7,  1872,  from  the  text,  Psalrn  xx.  5,  "  In  the  name  of 
our  God  we  will  set  up  our  banners."  There  were  at  this  date 
one  hundred  and  twenty  officers,  teachers  and  scholars  in  the 
Sunday-school,  and  a  canvass  of  the  territory  discovered  thirty- 
five  persons  who  claimed  to  be  Lutherans. 

On  February  25,  1872,  a  meeting  was  called  in  the  chapel  for 
the  purpose  of  effecting  an  organization.     The  attendance  was 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  257 

large.  Rev.  G.  F.  Stelling,  who  had  been  invited  by  the  pastor 
to  be  present,  opened  the  meeting  with  appropriate  religious 
exercises.  Mr.  J.  Amos  Fisler  was  called  to  preside,  Mr.  Uriah 
Brown  was  chosen  to  act  as  secretary,  and,  after  the  object  of  the 
meeting  had  been  stated,  thirty-five  names  were  enrolled,  and  a 
constitution  was  submitted  and  adopted.  Eight  officers  were 
elected,  as  follows  :  Messrs.  J.  Amos  Fisler,  J.  Potteiger,  and  C. 
A.  Walters,  elders  ;  Messrs.  David  Mumma,  U.  H.  Brown,  and 
I.  W.  Hoover,  deacons ;  U.  H.  Brown,  secretary,  and  David 
Mumma,  treasurer.  The  work  was  for  some  time  partially  sup- 
ported by  the  mother  church. 

In  June,  1885,  an  application  was  made  and  a  charter  granted, 
and  the  church  thereupon  became  self-sustaining.  The  name  was 
changed  to  "  The  Memorial  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  of  Har- 
risburg,  Pa." 

On  Tuly  6,  1886,  the  proper  officers  of  Zion  church  conveyed 
the  lot  of  ground  on  which  the  chapel  stood  to  the  new  corpora- 
tion for  the  consideration  of  one  dollar. 

On  March  17,  1890,  sixty-two  of  the  members  of  the  church 
made  application  to  the  council  for  letters  of  dismissal,  for  the 
purpose  of  forming  a  new  congregation  and  locating  in  a  more 
central  place.  Among  the  number  were  three  trustees,  one  elder, 
one  deacon,  and  the  secretary,  superintendent,  and  a  large  num- 
ber of  the  teachers  of  the  Sunday-school.  Their  request  was 
granted.  Within  a  short  time  after,  seven  more  applied  for  dis- 
missal and  were  transferred  to  the  new  congregation.  This  left 
the  old  church  in  a  weak  state,  numerically  and  financially,  but 
it  rallied  once  more,  and,  with  the  material  left,  about  120  mem- 
bers, many  of  whom  had  little  experience  in  church  affairs,  took 
hold  of  the  work.  It  was  evident,  however,  that  something  must 
be  done  to  infuse  new  life  into  the  remnant.  After  earnest 
thought,  prayer,  and  well-matured  plans,  ground  was  broken  in 
the  latter  part  of  April,  1891,  on  the  old  location,  for  a  new 
building,  the  corner-stone  of  which  was  laid  June  28,  1891,  and 
the  work  of  rearing  the  superstructure  pushed  as  rapidly  as  pos- 
sible to  completion. 

On  February  14,  the  house  was  set  apart  and  dedicated  to  the 
worship  of  the  Triune  God,  in  the  presence  of  about  800  people. 


258  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

The  morning  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  C.  S.  Albert,  D.  D., 
of  Baltimore  ;  the  evening  sermon,  by  Rev.  W.  H.  Dunbar,  of 
Lebanon.  The  finances  were  in  charge  of  Rev.  J.  A.  Wirt,  of 
Hughesville,  Pa.,  and  the  consecration  was  performed  by  Rev. 
D.  M.  Gilbert,  D.  D.,  of  Harrisburg,  Pa.  The  building  cost 
about  $14,000.00  and  the  furnishing  thereof  about  $3,000.00. 
The  seating  capacity  of  the  main  auditorium  is  423.  In  the  Sun- 
day-school building  there  are  three  departments,  with  a  seating 
capacity  of  at  least  600.  The  main  room  of  the  Sunday-school 
is  so  constructed  that  it  can  be  used  in  connection  with  the  audi- 
torium, which  then  affords  a  seating  capacity  of  about  800.  This 
house,  built  on  a  beautiful  location,  towers  heavenward  as  a  monu- 
ment of  self-denial  and  great  sacrifice.  When  the  subscriptions 
are  all  paid,  there  will  be  an  indebtedness  of  between  $7,000.00 
and  $8,000.00.  The  property,  at  a  low  estimate,  is  worth  $20,- 
000.00.  The  amount  of  salary  now  paid  the  pastor  is  $600.00, 
and  he  is  required  to  find  his  own  home. 

The  Sunday-school  numbers  285  scholars  and  30  officers  and 
teachers,  and  has  two  departments.  A  third  department  will 
soon  be  formed. 

There  are  three  societies  connected  with  the  church,  namely, 
the  Ladies'  Aid  Society,  the  Christian  Endeavor  Society,  and  the 
Mission  Band,  all  of  which  are  doing  good  service  for  the  Master. 

The  present  membership  of  the  church  is  169,  made  up  of 
hard-working  people,  most  of  whom  are  of  the  Lord's  poor. 

The  progress  of  this  work  has  been  slow  but  steady.  For  at 
least  eighteen  years  there  were  great  hindrances.  Far  to  one 
side  of  the  populous  district,  with  no  sidewalks  or  pavements, 
and  only  one  street  leading  to  the  church,  progress  was  difficult. 
After  a  while  the  old  chapel  became  too  small  and  uninviting  ; 
but,  thank  God,  all  these  things  are  of  the  past,  and  in  the  near 
future  this  beautiful  church  will  be  in  the  centre  of  a  large  popu- 
lation. 

Up  to  September  20,  1892,  there  have  been  received  by  regu- 
lar modes  of  the  church,  nearly  five  hundred  persons.  The 
pastor  up  to  that  time  baptized  450  children  •  united  462  couples 
in  holy  matrimony,  and  officiated  at  744  funerals.  He  served,  in 
connection  with  this  work,  the  Shoop's  congregation,  four  miles 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


259 


east  of  the  city,  and  the  Oberlin  church,  four  miles  southeast  of 
the  city,  every  two  weeks  for  the  term  of  four  years. 

Hitherto  the  Lord  has  been  with  this  work.  To  Him  be  all 
the  glory.  His  servants  take  courage  and  go  forward  in  His 
name. 


LVI. 


CALVARY  CHURCH,  WEST  PHILADELPHIA. 

BY  REV.  S.  A.  HOLMAN,  D.  D. 


Calvary  Lutheran  church,  West  Philadelphia,  was  organized 
May  10,  1874.  The  congregation  at  first  worshiped  in  a  hall  at 
the  corner  of  Fortieth  street  and  Lancaster  avenue.     The  church 


CALVARY  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN  CHURCH,  WEST  PHILADELPHIA,  PA. 

edifice,  south-east  corner  of  Forty-third  and  Aspen  streets,  was 
subsequently  built  by  the  congregation,  and  dedicated  to  the  ser- 
vice of  God,  December  12,  1875.  Recently,  an  offer  having 
been  made  for  their  church,  it  was  sold,  and  a  lot  on  the  south- 
west corner  of  Forty-first  street  and  Mantua  avenue  was  pur- 
chased.    A  new  church  is  now  being  erected,  which,  it  is  ex- 


260  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

pected,  will  be  finished  May  i,  1893.  The  location  of  the  new- 
building  is  several  squares  north-east  of  the  old  church.  It  is  near 
the  Forty-first  street  station  of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad,  and  a 
few  squares  south  of  Fairmount  Park.  The  church  has  a  front  on 
Forty-first  street  of  sixty-one  feet,  and  extends  back,  for  the  pres- 
ent, to  a  depth  of  fifty-four  feet,  there  being  about  forty-five  feet 
in  the  rear  of  the  church  on  Mantua  avenue,  over  which  it  is  ex- 
pected, in  the  future,  to  extend  the  building.  The  church  is 
built  of  red  pressed  brick,  with  the  arches  over  the  windows  and 
doors  of  Pompeian  brick.  The  membership  of  the  congregation 
is  120;  scholars  and  teachers  in  Sunday-school,  274.  Rev.  S.  A. 
Holman,  D.  D.,  has  been  pastor  of  the  congregation  since  its  or- 
ganization. 


LVII.     ST.  STEPHEN'S  CHURCH,  LANCASTER. 

BY  REV.  E.  ME1STER. 

St.  Stephen's  Cerman  Lutheran  church  is  the  youngest  Luth- 
eran congregation  in  Lancaster.  Its  house  of  worship,  which  is 
situated  on  the  corner  of  Duke  and  Church  streets,  measures 
49x75  feet,  and  has  a  steeple  and  spire  172  feet  in  height.  The 
congregation  was  organized  July  19,  1874,  at  which  time  the 
necessity  of  a  second  German  Lutheran  church  was  felt.  There 
were  only  seventeen  families  at  the  above-named  time  to  start  the 
new  church.  Its  first  officers  and  church  council  were  Messrs. 
Adam  Oblender,  John  Ochs,  C.  P.  Krauss,  W.  C.  F.  Sheer,  Peter 
Dietz,  Henry  Zimmermann,  John  Landau,  Bernhard  Kuhlmann, 
B.  F.  Adams,  A.  Grotzinger,  Jacob  Lutz  and  William  Gelzen- 
lichter.  The  congregation  is  connected  with  the  East  Pennsyl- 
vania Synod  and  through  it  with  the  General  Synod.  Its  first 
pastor  was  Rev.  W.  S.  Porr. 

In  1880  he  was  succeeded  by  the  present  pastor,  Rev.  E. 
Meister.  Until  1881  the  services  were  held  in  the  lecture  room, 
and  on  March  13-16,  1881,  the  main  audience  room  of  the  church 
was  dedicated.  On  Trinity  Sunday  of  the  following  year  the 
church  was  completed,  and  beautified  with  a  large~pipe  organ. 
The  membership  of  St.  Stephen's  now  is  nearly  400  souls.  There 
is  connected  with  this  church  an  excellent  Sunday-school,  includ- 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS. 


26l 


ST.    STEPHEN'S    EVANGELICAL    LUTHERAN    CHURCH,    LANCASTER,   PA. 


ing  a  flourishing  Bible  class  ;  also,  under  the  supervision  of  the  pas- 
tor, is  a  Youths'  and  Ladies'  Society,  designed  to  further  the  in- 
terest of  this  young  but  enterprising  congregation. 


262  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

LVIII.    ST.  PETER'S  CHURCH,  COLLEGE  HILL,  EASTON. 

BY  REV.  C.  R.  TROWBRIDGE  AND  REV.  W.  H.  DUNBAR,  D.  D. 

In  1870  St.  Paul's  Lutheran  church,  Easton,  Pa.,  Rev.  J.  H.  Bar- 
clay, pastor,  erected  a  mission  chapel  on  Porter  street,  near  High 
street,  College  Hill.  It  was  a  frame  building  of  twenty-four  by 
forty  feet,  with  a  recess  seven  feet  wide  in  front,  five  feet  in  rear, 
and  three  and  six-tenths  feet  deep.  The  Building  Committee  were 
*C.  Edward  Hecht,  David  B.  Miller,  Amandus  Schug,  and  Wil- 
liam Sweeny,  of  St.  Paul's  church.  The  chapel  was  finished  and 
dedicated  in  the  fall  of  1870,  Rev.  Dr.  F.  W.  Conrad  preaching 
the  dedicatory  sermon.  This  building  was  afterward  changed 
into  and  used  for  some  years  as  a  parsonage.  It  was  then  sold, 
and  is  now  used  as  a  private  dwelling.  In  this  chapel  a  Sunday- 
school  was  at  once  established.  From  the  first  the  work  was 
attended  with  the  most  encouraging  success.  Preaching  services 
were  held  as  those  in  charge  were  able  to  secure  some  one  to 
break  to  them  the  Bread  of  Life.  An  occasional  sermon  was 
preached  by  Rev.  Dr.  Barclay.  During  the  years  1870-18 73 
the  population  of  College  Hill  increased  with  great  rapidity.  The 
idea  was  conceived,  and  received  with  great  enthusiasm,  to  or- 
ganize a  congregation.  Action  was  at  once  taken  by  St.  Paul's 
Church  Council,  Rev.  H.  W.  Mc Knight,  pastor,  to  effect  such 
organization.  In  July,  1874,  a  meeting  of  the  people  was  held  in 
the  chapel,  at  which  it  was  decided  to  organize  the  new  congre- 
gation. 

On  motion  of  Ephraim  Bower,  the  name  adopted  was,  "  St. 
Peter's  Sixth  Lutheran  Church  of  Easton."  It  was  originally 
designated  "  Sixth,"  because  there  were  five  Lutheran  churches  in 
existence  in  Easton  before  this  one.  It  was  afterward  discovered 
that  the  colored  church  was  designated  "  The  First  Colored  Lu- 
theran Church,"  and  the  title  of  St.  Peter's  was  changed  in  the 
charter  to  the  "  Fifth  Lutheran  Church  of  Easton."  The  first 
Church  Council  consisted  of  P.  A.  Shimer,  Ephraim  Bower, 
Amandus  Steinmetz  and  James  H.  Buell,  elders ;  and  Edwin 
Sandt,  Isaac  Snyder,  Noah  Deitrich,  Daniel  Brinker  and  Van 
Selan  Walter,  deacons.     These  officers  were  installed  in  the  latter 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS. 


263 


part  of  July  by  Rev.  H.  W.  McKnight.  Rev.  W.  H.  Dunbar 
was  called  as  first  pastor  on  Friday,  August  28,  1874,  and 
preached  his  first  sermon  on  the  following  Sabbath.  The  congre- 
gation was  received  into  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod  at  Pottsville, 
September  9.     On  May  1,  1875,  tne  congregation  was  regularly 


ST.  PETER'S    EVANGELICAL   LUTHERAN   CHURCH,  EASTON,  PA. 

chartered  by  the  Court  of  Northampton  county.  The  first  com- 
munion was  held  October  18,  1874.  The  number  communing 
was  twenty-eight.     The  whole  membership  was  thirty-six. 

At  the  request  of  some  of  the  good  people,  it  was  determined 
by  the  Council  that  a  monthly  German  service  be  held.  The 
pastor  conducted  the  first  German  service  on  Sunday  morning, 


264  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

October  11.  1874.  It  was  the  only  such  service  held.  At  a 
meeting  of  the  Church  Council,  held  during  the  following  week. 
a  motion  was  offered,  and  without  a  word  of  comment,  unani- 
mously carried,  that  there  be  no  more  German  preaching.  The 
pastor  profited  by  the  experience,  and  has  never  attempted  to 
preach  German  since.  We  can  not  but  think  that,  so  far  as  the 
congregation  was  concerned,  the  action  was  wise. 

The  congregation  having  grown  with  great  rapidity,  early  in 
the  spring  of  1875  ^  was  decided  to  build  a  new  church.  A 
Building  Committee  was  appointed,  with  power  to  raise  money 
and  to  carry  on  the  work.  The  committee  consisted  of  A.  Stein- 
meti,  P.  A.  Shinier  and  Ephraim  Bower,  with  William  Werkheiser 
as  treasurer  of  the  building  funds.  A  lot  on  the  south-east  corner 
of  Porter  and  High  Streets  was  purchased  for  $1,500.00  by  Mr. 
John  Eyerman,  of  St.  Paul's  church,  and  presented  to  the  congre- 
gation, upon  which  it  was  decided  to  build.  The  corner-stone  of 
the  new  building  was  laid  June  19,  1875.  The  services  were 
participated  in  by  Rev.  H.  W.  McKnight,  of  St.  Paul's,  Rev.  Ph. 
Pfatteicher,  of  Zion  German  Lutheran  church,  Rev.  S.  Henry, 
Secretary  of  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod,  and  Rev.  Dr.  W.  C. 
Cattell,  President  of  Lafayette  College.  The  new  church  was 
completed  in  January,  1876.  It  is  a  beautiful  and  commodious 
brick  building  with  Sunday-school  room  adjoining,  costing  about 
$12,000.00.  It  was  dedicated  January  16,  1876,  Rev.  Dr.  F.  W. 
Conrad  preaching  the  dedicatory  sermon. 

It  is  due  to  Mr.  John  Eyerman  to  say  that  his  heart  was 
in  this  enterprise  from  the  first,  and  most  liberally  did  he  en- 
courage it.  In  addition  to  the  $1,500.00  for  the  lot  upon  which 
the  new  church  was  built,  he  paid  a  subscription  of  $1,500.00  to 
the  new  building ;  at  the  dedication  he  subscribed  $300.00,  and 
paid  for  one  of  the  large  windows.  It  was  his  expressed  wish 
that  a  mortgage  of  $5,000.00,  held  by  him  against  the  congrega- 
tion, should  be  canceled  as  soon  as  a  remaining  indebtedness  of 
$3,000.00  over  and  above  the  mortgage  was  paid.  This  wish 
was  carried  out  through  the  kindness  of  Mrs.  Eyerman  after  his 
death. 

After  the  dedication  of  the  new  church,  a  debt  of  $5,000.00 
remained  on  the  building.     The  panic  of  1874  was  just  beginning 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  265 

to  be  felt.  Laboring  men  were  without  work,  and  business  men 
had  to  husband  all  their  resources  to  keep  themselves  afloat.  It 
was  a  severe  struggle  for  the  young  congregation  to  meet  its 
obligations.  The  sacrifices  made  for  the  church  during  those 
years  are  seldom  surpassed.  Rarely  have  a  people  given  more 
liberally  and  worked  more  faithfully. 

The  first  communion  service  in  the  new  church,  January  23, 
1876,  was  the  sixth  in  the  history  of  the  congregation.  The  num- 
ber of  communicants  was  59;  the  whole  number  of  members,  76. 
At  the  next  communion,  April  16,  the  number  of  communicants 
was  87,  and  the  whole  number  of  members,  116.  Rev.  W.  H. 
Dunbar  resigned  in  May,  1880. 

Rev.  H.  B.  Wile,  a  graduate  of  the  Theological  Seminary 
at  Gettysburg,  became  pastor  in  August,  1880.  Under  his  pas- 
torate the  church  was  freed  from  debt.  In  September,  1880,  the 
old  chapel  was  changed  into  a  suitable  parsonage.  This  old 
chapel-parsonage  was  sold  in  the  fall  of  1885,  and  the  present 
commodious  brick  parsonage  was  erected,  adjoining  the  church. 
Upon  the  representations  of  Rev.  Wile,  and  at  the  earnest  solici- 
tation of  the  congregation,  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod  gave 
$1,000.00  towards  the  debt  on  the  church,  and  in  1884  the  entire 
burden  was  lifted.  During  the  summer  of  1884,  and  prior  to  the 
meeting  of  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod  in  Easton  in  the  fall,  the 
church  was  re-painted  and  repaired  at  a  cost  of  $450.00.  Rev. 
Wile  resigned  September  9,  1885. 

Rev.  J.  B.  Keller,  of  Williamsport,  Md.,  was  elected  pastor 
in  January,  1886,  and  assumed  charge  the  following  March.  He 
resigned  in  January,  1888,  after  a  term  of  not  quite  two  years. 
During  his  pastorate  the  membership  increased  some  forty  or 
more. 

Rev.  Chas.  R.  Trowbridge,  of  Trenton,  N.  J.,  was  elected 
pastor  on  May  18,  1888,  and  assumed  charge  of  the  work  on 
August  22,  1888.  During  his  pastorate,  seventy-four  were 
added  to  the  membership  of  the  church.  On  October  25, 
1891,  a  brick  addition,  sixteen  by  twenty- two,  to  the  Sunday- 
school  room,  for  the  use  of  the  infant  school,  was  thrown  open 
and  dedicated,  free  of  debt.  The  total  cost  was  $450.00. 
Rev.  R.  W.  Hufford,  D.  D.,  and  Rev.  T.  C.  Pritchard,  assisted 


266  EAST   PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

in  the  dedicatory  services.  Two  young  men  of  this  congregation 
have  entered  the  ministry.  They  are  Rev.  Chas.  M.  Sandt, 
formerly  pastor  at  Gordon,  Pa.,  temporarily  residing  at  Easton, 
and  Rev.  C.  E.  Walter,  who  is  now  the  assistant  pastor  of 
Trinity  Lutheran  Church,  Germantown,  Pa. 

The  ladies  of  the  congregation  deserve  much  credit  for  their 
activity  in  efforts  to  assist  in  meeting  the  financial  obligations  of 
the  congregation.  At  various  times  Aid  or  Mite  Societies  have 
done  good  work,  and  have  raised  a  great  deal  of  money  by  their 
labor.  On  November  i,  1891,  a  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor 
was  formed,  with  some  twenty  or  more  active  members.  A  Cir- 
cle of  King's  Daughters  is  also  in  existence  among  the  young 
ladies  of  the  congregation.  During  the  winter  of  1 890-1 891,  a 
Circle  of  King's  Sons  maintained  semi-monthly  prayer-meetings 
among  the  young  men  of  the  congregation  with  some  success. 

The  salary  paid  to  the  pastor  at  present  is  $650.00,  with  par- 
sonage, a  total  of  perhaps  $750.00  or  $800.00. 

The  Sunday-school  consists  of  two  departments — the  primary, 
with  three  officers  and  teachers  and  eighty-five  scholars ;  and  the 
intermediate,  with  twenty-three  officers  and  teachers  and  one 
hundred  and  four  scholars. 

The  present  indebtedness  on  the  parsonage  is  $1,250.00,  and 
on  a  house  and  lot  adjoining  the  parsonage,  also  owned  by  the 
congregation,  $950.00,  making  a  total  indebtedness  of  $2,300.00. 


LIX.  ST.  JOHN'S,  STEELTON,  DAUPHIN  COUNTY. 

BY  REV.  M.  P.  HOCKER. 

St.  John's  Evangelical  Lutheran  congregation  of  Steelton,  Pa., 
dates  its  history  from  January  31,  1875,  when,  in  the  old  brick 
school-house  until  recently  standing  on  South  Second  street,  a 
congregation  was  organized  by  Rev.  E.  Daron,  who  was  then 
serving  what  was  known  as  the  Shoop's  pastorate,  and  who  had 
preached  in  the  school-house  at  stated  periods  before  this  date. 
A  Sunday-school  had  been  organized  as  early  as  November  22, 
1874,  with  about  twenty  pupils.  The  first  officers  of  the  school 
were  :  Superintendent,   F.  C.  Earnest ;  Secretary,  John  A.  Mc- 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


267 


Clure  ;  Librarians,  C.  A.  Dobson  and  Martin  Sharlock  ;  Managers, 
Jacob  Felty,  Henry  Lenhart,  Mrs.  Dobson,  and  Mrs.  Sharlock  ; 
Treasurer,  Jonas  Books. 

When  the  congregation  was  organized  a  few  months  later  the 
following  Church  Council  was  chosen  :  Trustees,  Jacob  Lenhart, 
David  Sloop,  and  Henry  Miller ;  Elders,  Christian  Harm  and  F. 
C.  Earnest ;  Deacons,  J.  A.  McClure  and  Martin  Hocker  ;  Treas- 
urer, Jonas  Books. 


ST.   JOHN  S    EVANGELICAL   LUTHERAN    CHURCH,    STEELTON,    PA. 

The  congregation  was  united  with  the  Shoop's  pastorate,  and 
Rev.  Daron  became  the  first  pastor.  From  its  beginning  the 
congregation  gave  evidences  of  intense  activity,  and,  though  few 
in  numbers,  arrangements  were  very  soon  made  to  build  for  them 
selves  a  chapel  on  Locust  street,  near  Second,  which  building, 
though  several  times  enlarged,  still  serves  the  congregation  as  a 
place  of  worship.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  on  August  15,  1875, 
and  the  completed  building  was  dedicated  on  December  19  of 
the  same  year. 


2b8  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

Too  much  praise  cannot  be  given  to  the  few  devoted,  zeal- 
ous members  who  gave  themselves  so  earnestly  to  this  new  enter- 
prise. They  laid  the  foundations  of  that  which,  under  the  bless- 
ing of  Providence,  developed  into  what  we  now  so  greatly 
enjoy.  Some  of  the  charter  members  are  still  with  us,  and 
have  the  rare  satisfaction  of  working  amid  abundant  fruitage 
in  the  garden  of  their  own  planting.  The  debt  of  gratitude 
on  our  part  is  not  limited  to  members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 
There  were  those  of  other  denominations  who  labored  with  and 
for  this  struggling  congregation.  The  names  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Dobson,  especially,  are  most  gratefully  mentioned  by  the  pio- 
neers in  this  work  whenever  reference  is  made  to  those  days  of 
small  things. 

Rev.  Daron,  after  serving  the  congregation  a  little  less  than 
three  years,  resigned  January  i,  1878,  and  was  succeeded  by 
Rev.  Samuel  Yingling,  who  took  charge  June  1,  1878.  The  latter 
served  the  congregation  until  September  6,  1880,  or  about  two 
years  and  three  months.  About  this  time  the  congregation  be- 
came a  distinct  pastoral  charge,  having  separated  from  the 
Shoop's  pastorate. 

Rev.  Wm.  S.  Porr  became  the  third  pastor,  and  entered  upon 
his  duties  October  1,  1880.  After  serving  the  church  with  com- 
mendable zeal  and  remarkable  activity  for  two  years  and  two 
months,  he  resigned  November  30,  1882.  During  his  ministry, 
and  by  his  personal  efforts  largely,  the  chapel  was  beautified  and 
rendered  much  more  cheerful.  At  the  close  of  his  administra- 
tion, and  nearly  eight  years  from  the  date  of  the  organization, 
the  congregation  numbered  about  seventy-five  members,  with  a 
Sunday-school  of  about  one  hundred  and  fifty. 

From  the  last  of  November,  1882,  until  the  middle  of  July, 
1883,  the  congregation  suffered  from  the  demoralizing  condition 
of  being  without  a  pastor  ;  for,  although  the  present  pastor  ac- 
cepted a  call  February  1,  he  could  not,  prior  to  the  above  date, 
exercise  any  pastoral  care,  being  still  a  member  of  the  Senior 
class  in  our  Theological  Seminary  at  Gettysburg,  from  which  in- 
stitution he  was  graduated  in  the  latter  part  of  June,  1883,  having 
in  the  interval,  however,  served  the  congregation  as  a  supply.  En- 
tering upon  his  duties  in  July,  1883,  and  making  a  house  to-house 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  269 

visitation,  in  company  with  our  beloved  and  now  sainted  brother, 
D.  B.  Lupfer,  about  fifty  adherents  to  the  church  were  found,  a 
number  of  members  having  recently  removed. 

Thus  began  the  second  half  of  the  congregation's  history  up  to 
date.  Under  the  very  special  blessing  and  favor  of  God,  during 
the  last  nine  years  the  congregation  has  had  a  prosperous  career. 
Although  we  have  lost  many  members  by  removal  and  for  other 
reasons,  some  of  which  will  be  referred  to  later,  yet  we  number 
over  four  hundred  members  to-day,  with  a  Sunday-school  of 
nearly  six  hundred. 

The  following  marks  of  prosperity  may  be  noted  :  net  growth 
of  membership,  from  50  to  405  ;  of  Sunday-school,  from  150  to 
580.  The  church  building  has  been  twice  enlarged,  and  the  main 
body  of  the  church  has  been  beautified.  A  site  for  a  new  church 
edifice  has  been  bought  and  paid  for  at  a  cost  of  $5,100.00,  not 
including  interest  on  borrowed  money. 

The  congregation  has  always  responded  to  worthy  appeals  for 
contributions  to  the  various  operations  of  the  church  at  large. 
We  have  always  met  our  apportionment,  and,  with  one  or  two  ex- 
ceptions, have  exceeded  it  every  year.  We  have  not  been  un- 
mindful of  the  poor.  The  pastor's  salary  has  been  regularly 
increased,  from  $500.00  the  first  year,  to  $1,000.00  several  years 
ago,  and  is  promptly  paid  every  month. 

By  the  aid  of  our  council,  especially  that  of  our  deacons,  who 
seem  to  realize  the  responsibility  of  their  stewardship  and  try  to 
keep  the  church  free  from  debt,  the  financial  condition  of  our 
congregation  is  excellent. 

We  have  also  built  and  already  partly  paid  for  a  chapel  on 
South  Second  street,  where  the  mother  congregation  has  organized 
a  mission  church,  and  for  several  years  prior  had  maintained  a 
Sunday-school,  for  one  year  supporting  a  missionary  on  the 
ground. 

We  have  never  aimed  merely  at  numerical  growth,  for,  while  we 
believe  that  the  church  is  the  divinely  ordained  institution  in 
which,  by  the  faithful  use  of  the  means  of  grace,  men  are  to  be 
saved  and  prepared  for  heaven,  yet  our  council  has  regularly 
stricken  from  the  roll  the  names  of  those  who  have  given  unmis- 
takable evidence  that  they  were  not  striving  to  walk  in  the  faith, 


27O  EAST   PENNSYLVANIA   SYNOD. 

and  who  have  persisted  in  a  wilful  dereliction  of  duty  in  the  face 
of  patient  forbearance  and  sincere  efforts  to  reclaim  them. 

We  have  sustained  heavy  numerical  losses  during  the  past  sev- 
eral years,  by  the  death  of  prominent  members  and  the  removal 
of  others  from  the  locality.  We  dismissed  a  number  to  assist 
in  organizing  St.  Paul's  mission.  By  the  organizing  of  the  Ger- 
man Lutheran  congregation  several  years  ago  we  lost  some  mem- 
bers, and  when  St.  Mark's  congregation  was  organized  we  gave 
letters  of  dismissal  to  six  male  and  fifteen  female  members. 

Our  Church  Record  reveals  the  gratifying  fact  that  we  have 
received  into  church  fellowship  in  the  last  eight  and  a  half  years 
575  members,  an  average  of  nearly  68  each  year.  Of  these,  163 
were  received  by  letter,  132  by  profession  of  faith,  86  by  bap- 
tism, 192  by  confirmation,  and  2  by  restoration.  During  this 
time  315  infants  were  consecrated  to  God  in  holy  baptism,  123 
marriages  solemnized,  and  the  pastor  officiated  at  169  funerals. 

The  congregation  has  entered  upon  the  eighteenth  year  of  its 
existence  under  most  encouraging  circumstances.  The  past  year 
was,  in  many  particulars,  the  most  prosperous.  Perfect  harmony 
prevails.  There  seems  to  be  a  disposition  on  the  part  of  most  of 
our  members  to  respect  each  other's  opinions  and  regard  each 
other's  feelings,  a  disposition  that  must  characterize  the  true 
Christian  and  the  congregation  that  would  expect  the  blessing  of 
heaven  upon  their  work. 

The  initiatory  steps  have  been  taken  to  build  a  large  and  hand- 
some church  edifice  for  the  comfort  and  increased  facilities  of  the 
congregation.  It  is  not  considered  wise  to  hasten  this  important 
work  unduly ;  but  by  careful,  deliberate  counsel,  accompanied  by 
harmonious,  concerted  action,  we  confidently  hope  to  realize,  in 
the  near  future,  what  we  so  ardently  desire  and  so  greatly  need, 
viz.:  a  commodious  and  attractive  house  of  worship.  With  grati- 
tude and  extreme  delight  we  note  that  one  year  ago  the  congre- 
gation gave  their  first  candidate  for  the  holy  ministry,  Webster  C. 
Spayde,  whom  they  supported  one  year  in  the  preparatory  de- 
partment at  Gettysburg. 

May  the  rich  blessing  of  God  continue  to  abide  with  us  ! 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  271 

LX.     CENTRAL  CHURCH,  PHCENIXVILLE, 
CHESTER  COUNTY. 

BY  REV.  JOHN  KLING. 

The  Central  Lutheran  church  of  Phcenixville,  Pa.,  was  organized 
by  Rev.  S.  S.  Palmer,  pastor  of  the  Pikeland  church,  on  December 
5,  1S75,  w^th  eleven  members.  The  following  is  the  list  of 
names  :  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Tustin,  Mrs.  Sarah  Auld,  Miss  Jane  Auld, 
Miss  Annie  Rixstine,  Miss  Sarah  Wells,  Mrs.  Mattie  Caveny, 
William  E.  Caveny,  Mrs.  Emma  C.  Gregg,  Mrs.  Sophia  King, 
Henry  Rixstine  and  Thomas  King. 

The  following-named  brethren  constituted  the  first  official 
board  of  the  church  :  Thomas  King,  William  E.  Caveny,  Harmon 
Kanouse,  Henry  Rixstine,  Jonas  Tustin,  William  C.  Dettra,  Ben- 
jamin F.  Auld,  Davault  Beaver. 

The  first  sermon  looking  toward  the  organization  was  preached 
by  the  aforesaid  minister  in  May,  1875,  in  the  Mennonite  church, 
corner  of  Main  and  Church  Streets,  permission  having  been 
granted  through  the  earnest  efforts  of  Thomas  King,  a  member 
of  the  Pikeland  congregation. 

At  a  regularly-called  meeting  held  on  December  25,  1875,  the 
Mennonite  congregation  (being  about  to  abandon  their  work  in 
the  town)  unanimously  agreed  to  convey  their  church  property 
to  the  Lutherans  upon  the  following  conditions,  viz. :  That  the 
latter  should  assume  the  indebtedness  upon  the  property,  and 
that  they  should  hold  the  property  for  divine  worship.  These 
conditions  were  unanimously  accepted  by  the  Lutherans.  In  ac- 
cordance with  an  act  of  the  State  Legislature,  passed  in  1873,  and 
by  action  of  the  courts  of  Chester  county,  on  May  17,  1878,  the 
church  became  an  incorporate  body.  The  circumstances  which 
led  to  the  organization  were  such  as  are  common  in  nearly  all 
growing  towns,  viz. :  Lutherans  were  coming  in  from  the  sur- 
rounding country,  locating  in  the  town,  and  going  into  churches 
of  other  denominations. 

The  congregation  has  been  served  by  the  following-named 
pastors  :  Rev.  S.  S.  Palmer,  from  December  5,  1875,  to  August, 
1880  ;  Rev.  W.  M.  Baum,  Jr.,  from  October  1,  1880,  to  January  29, 


2  7  2  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

1883;  Rev.  Philip  S.  Hooper,  from  March  1,  1883,  to  August  1, 
1886;  Rev.  H.  C.  Grossman,  from  November  1,  1886,  to  No- 
vember 1,  1890. 

The  present  pastor,  Rev.  John  Kling,  commenced  his  labors 
February  19,  1891.  The  church  has  not  been  associated  with 
any  other  in  pastoral  relation. 

The  building  is  of  stone,  and  was  erected  by  the  Mennonites  in 
1789.  It  was  repaired  by  them  in  1873,  and  again  repaired  by 
the  Lutherans  in  1890. 

The  congregation  has  no  parsonage.  Present  indebtedness  is 
S320.00.  The  amount  of  salary  paid  the  present  pastor  is 
$800.00,  and  Si 5. 00  monthly  toward  the  rental  of  the  pastor's 
house. 

The  Sunday-school,  previous  to  the  organization  of  the  church, 
was  known  as  a  Union  school ;  but  after  the  organization  it  im- 
mediately became  Lutheran,  with  about  fifty  members.  The  first 
superintendent  of  this  newly-organized  school  was  Wm.  E. 
Caveny. 

A  Woman's  Home  and  Foreign  Missionary  Society  was  organ- 
ized in  1885,  during  Rev.  Hooper's  pastorate,  which  continues  its 
work. 

In  May,  1890,  a  Young  People's  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor 
was  organized,  which  is,  indeed,  a  source  of  great  and  efficient 
help  in  the  work  of  the  church.  We  also  have  what  is  called  a 
''Good  Will  Society,"  which  is  not  only  of  a  social  character,  but 
of  financial  aid. 

About  forty  copies  of  the  Lutheran  Observer  are  taken  by  the 
congregation,  thirty  copies  of  the  Missionary  Journal,  and  one 
hundred  copies  of  the  Lutheran  Sunday-School  Herald. 

The  present  membership  of  the  church  is  164,  and  the  present 
condition  and  outlook  are  quite  encouraging  to  both  pastor  and 
people. 

LXI.  ST.  PAUL'S,  GORDON,  SCHUYLKILL  COUNTY. 

BY  REV.  A.  R.  GLAZE. 

Gordon  is  situated  in  the  west-central  part  of  Butler  township, 
Schuylkill  county,  Pa.     It  bears  its  name  in  honor  of  Judge  Gor- 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  273 

don,  of  Reading.  The  first  congregation  for  religious  worship 
was  assembled  in  a  school-house  in  the  outskirts  of  the  village 
(now  a  borough),  about  1854,  by  Rev.  Joseph  Adams,  who  was 
located  in  Northumberland  county  and  was  a  member  of  the 
Northumberland  Presbytery.  He  preached  at  Gordon  every  two 
weeks  for  several  years.  There  were  a  few  Methodist  families  in 
the  village ;  and,  during  the  ministrations  of  Rev.  Adams,  a  union 
Sunday-school,  composed  of  Presbyterians  and  Methodists,  was 
organized  in  the  same  school-house  and  conducted  very  success- 
fully. 

The  first  Methodist  preaching  at  Gordon  was  in  the  year  1857, 
by  Rev.  J.  A.  DeMoyer,  who  was  stationed  on  what  was  then  the 
Catawissa  circuit  of  the  Baltimore  Conference. 

Rev.  Robert  C.  Bryson,  of  Ashland,  became  the  successor  ot 
Rev.  Adams,  serving  also  the  Presbyterian  congregation  at  Gor- 
don. 

It  was  not  long  until  the  school-house  became  too  small  to  ac- 
commodate the  children  for  the  public  school.  Then  a  new 
school-house  was  built  nearer  the  centre  of  the  village. 

In  the  year  1859  a  Methodist  society  was  organized.  Wor- 
ship was  held  every  two  weeks  alternately  in  the  new  school- 
house  by  the  Presbyterians  and  Methodists  for  about  a  year.  The 
various  preachers  supplying  the  Methodist  society  from  time  to 
time  came  from  the  surrounding  towns.  Rev.  Bryson  continued 
to  serve  the  Presbyterians,  whose  church  outnumbered  the  Metho- 
dists. When  it  was  thought  expedient  to  erect  a  church  edifice, 
a  vote  was  taken  by  the  citizens  to  decide  which  denomination 
should  have  the  choice  of  building.  It  was  decided  in  favor  of 
the  Presbyterians,  who,  in  i860,  built  the  church  beside  the  pub- 
lic school-house,  on  the  lot  presented  by  the  McKnights  of  Read- 
ing, and  secured  a  clear  title  for  the  same.  The  edifice  cost 
about  $2,500.00.  The  Northumberland  Presbytery  donated 
$1,000.00  towards  the  enterprise.  This  edifice  remained  in  pos- 
session of  the  Presbyterians  until  December  2,  1872,  when,  on 
account  of  their  decrease  in  membership,  caused  by  many  re- 
movals, it  was  sold  to  the  Methodists,  who  had  by  this  time  in- 
creased in  membership,  for  the  sum  of  $1,300.00. 

In  the  meanwhile  several   Lutheran  families  appeared  in  the 


274  EAST   PENNSYLVANIA   SYNOD. 

place.  These,  with  the  surviving  Presbyterians,  were  served  suc- 
cessively by  Revs.  Sikes,  Curtis,  and  Hackenberg,  pastors  of 
the  Lutheran  church  at  Ashland.  An  Episcopalian  minister  of 
Ashland,  by  the  name  of  Washburne,  also  served  them  for  a  while. 
In  1876  the  church,  being  involved  in  debt,  was  sold,  and  pur- 
chased by  the  Lutherans  for  $600.00,  the  Methodist  Society  being 
compelled  to  seek  a  shelter  elsewhere. 

The  Lutheran  church  at  Gordon  was  organized  by  Rev.  O.  D. 
S.  Marcley,  September  3,  1876,  with  thirty-three  members.  The 
following  were  the  officers  elected  at  the  time  of  its  organization  : 
Elders,  Thomas  Rasbridge  and  W.  H.  Anthony  ;  Deacons,  George 
F.  Rick,  Charles  F.  Hoffman,  Joseph  L.  Harper,  Edward  G.  Eb- 
ling,  Boaz  Dreher,  and  Frederick  Rice.  Rev.  O.  D.  S.  Marcley 
was  elected  its  first  pastor.  From  the  time  of  its  organization 
until  February  3,  1886,  it  formed  a  part  of  the  Ashland  pastor- 
ate, and  Rev.  Marcley  was  succeeded  as  pastor  May  16,  1878,  by 
Rev.  D.  E.  Rupley,  and  he,  November  1,  1879,  by  Rev.  J.  H. 
Weber. 

During  the  ministry  of  the  last-mentioned  pastor,  a  revival,  in 
February  of  1880.  resulted  in  general  good  and  thirty-four  addi- 
tions to  the  church.  An  organ  was  purchased  in  June,  1880,  for 
$250. 00.  In  December,  1880,  another  great  revival  was  experi- 
enced in  this  church.  In  December,  1881,  a  church  fair  was 
held,  from  which  $565.00  were  realized.  In  August,  1882,  began 
the  work  of  remodeling  the  church  edifice.  This  consisted  in 
removing  the  gallery,  putting  in  stained  windows,  painting  the 
exterior  and  papering  the  interior,  securing  new  pulpit  and  altar 
furniture  and  a  new  chandelier,  at  a  total  cost  of  $1,000.00. 
The  church  was  re-dedicated  October  29,  1882,  free  from  debt, 
Rev.  F.  W.  Conrad,  D.  D.,  preaching  the  dedicatory  sermon. 

October  n,  1885,  it  was  resolved  at  a  joint  council  meeting 
that  this  church  separate  from  the  Ashland  church  and  become 
an  independent  pastorate  no  later  than  July  1,  1886.  Accord- 
ingly, Rev.  J.  H.  Weber  tendered  his  resignation,  to  take  effect 
on  the  date  named.  He,  however,  closed  his  successful  services 
for  this  people,  February  28,  1886,  with  a  morning  communion 
service  and  the  addition  of  seven  members.  He  found  the  con- 
gregation with  42  members,  and  left  it  with  106,  and  in  a  pros- 
perous condition. 


SKETCHES   OF   CONGREGATIONS.  275 

A  bell  was  purchased  in  1878,  at  a  cost  of  $160.00,  and  a  par- 
sonage was  bought,  December,  1885,  of  Mr.  George  Hudson,  for 
$1,41-0.00.     On  the  latter,  $1,000.00  remain  unpaid. 

Rev.  W.  G.  Thrall,  of  South  Valley,  N.  Y.,  became  the  first  pas- 
tor belonging  exclusively  to  the  St.  Paul's  Evangelical  Lutheran 
church  of  Gordon,  and  began  his  labors  March  1,  1886,  under 
the  most  nattering  prospects. 

A  union  Sabbath-school  had  been  organized  April  2,  1876, 
with  sixty-eight  scholars  and  seven  teachers.  W.  H.  Anthony 
was  elected  its  first  superintendent,  and  held  the  position  many 
years.  Rev.  Thrall,  while  pastor,  contended  for  a  separate 
Lutheran  organization.  The  school  is  to-day  thoroughly  Luth- 
eran in  name  and  character,  and,  under  the  superintendency  of 
Mr.  Thomas  Rasbridge,  is  in  a  prosperous  condition,  with  one 
hundred  and  fifty  scholars  and  twenty-nine  officers  and  teachers. 
Rev.  Thrall  ended  his  labors  for  this  people  in  December,  1887. 
Rev.  C.  W.  Sandt  was  elected  as  his  successor,  and  served  from 
July  1,  1888  to  December  1,  1891. 

On  the  night  of  March  28,  1890,  the  church  building,  along 
with  the  school-house,  was  destroyed  by  fire,  the  fire  originating 
in  the  latter.  Then,  by  the  painstaking  effort  of  pastor  Sandt, 
his  estimable  wife,  and  a  devoted  people,  a  new  church  edifice 
was  erected  where  the  old  building  stood,  at  a  cost  of  $10,000.00. 
This  new  house  of  worship,  built  of  brick,  having  a  large  audi- 
ence-room, with  a  seating  capacity  of  350,  and  a  convenient 
Sunday-school  room  in  the  basement,  unique  in  design,  magnifi- 
cent in  style  of  architecture,  beautiful  in  finish,  stands  as  a 
monument  to  the  zeal  and  loyalty  of  a  little  band  of  devout  fol- 
lowers of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  It  was  dedicated  to  the  worship 
of  Almighty  God,  Sunday,  September  27,  1891.  Rev.  Wm.  M. 
B.  Glanding,  of  Ashland,  Rev.  J.  H.  Menges,  of  Philadelphia, 
and  Rev.  J.  H.  Weber,  D.  D.,  of  Sunbury,  conducted  the  dedica- 
tion services. 

Rev.  A.  R.  Glaze  became  the  first  pastor  of  the  new  church, 
entering  upon  his  work  January  1,  1892.  The  success  of  his 
first  year's  work  may  be  seen  in  the  parochial  report  to  Synod. 
The  synodical  apportionment  was  met,  and  nineteen  new  mem- 
bers have  been  added  to  the  church. 


276  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

The  Presbyterian  society  at  Gordon  ended  with  the  disposal 
of  their  church  property  to  the  Methodists  in  the  year  1876  ;  the 
Methodist  society  has  a  fine  church  edifice  and  a  beautiful  and 
well  furnished  parsonage  standing  side  by  side  in  the  centre  of 
the  borough  ;  but  the  Lutherans  have  the  most  beautiful,  sub- 
stantial and  commodious  church  building  in  the  place,  with  a 
suitable  lot  at  the  side,  donated  to  the  church  by  Mr.  Thomas 
Rasbridge,  one  of  its  original  members,  for  a  parsonage. 

From  September,  1891,  to  September,  1892,  this  congregation 
was,  in  the  Providence  of  God,  enabled  to  cancel  orders  to  the 
amount  of  $5  246.19.  Its  present  indebtedness  amounts  (Novem- 
ber, 1892)  to  $4287.28.  The  estimated  value  of  its  church 
property  is  $12,000.00,  and  its  communicant  membership  is  130. 
This,  with  a  flourishing  Sunday-school,  brightens  the  hope  for  its 
future. 


LXII.     MT.  EDEN  CHURCH,  LANCASTER  COUNTY. 

BY  REV.  J.  V.  ECKERT. 

Mount  Eden  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  is  located  about 
thirteen  miles  south-east  of  Lancaster,  Pa.  The  church  building 
was  erected  in  the  year  1878,  and  was  the  result  of  services  held, 
at  intervals  of  several  weeks,  in  Bowery  school-house,  Eden  town- 
ship, Lancaster  county,  by  Rev.  J.  V.  Eckert,  during  the  period 
of  about  one  year.  The  people  began  to  feel  the  need  of  a 
church,  and  in  the  month  of  March,  1878,  a  meeting  was  held  to 
consider  the  matter,  and  it  was  decided  to  build  a  Lutheran 
church,  in  which,  when  not  used  by  the  Lutherans,  other  evangel- 
ical denominations  should  have  the  privilege  of  holding  religious 
services. 

Rev.  J.  V.  Eckert,  Benjamin  B.  Myers,  Joseph  Wimer,  Jacob 
Eckman,  and  Samuel  A.  Keen  were  appointed  the  building  com- 
mittee. The  corner-stone  was  laid  in  the  month  of  May,  1878. 
and  the  church  building  was  completed  in  October  of  the  same 
year  ;  but  in  consequence  of  a  severe  equinoctial  rain-storm,  which 
did  considerable  damage  to  the  building,  it  was  not  dedicated 
until  May,  1879. 

The  ministers  present  at  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  were 


SKETCHES   OF    CONGREGATIONS.  277 

Rev.  J.  V.  Eckert,  Lutheran,  Rev.  J.  A.  Cooper,  Methodist,  and 
Rev.  W.  G.  Cairnes,  Presbyterian.  Those  present  at  the  dedica- 
tion were  Rev.  J.  V.  Eckert,  Lutheran,  Rev.  S.  E.  Herring,  Luth- 
eran, and  Rev.  W.  G.  Cairnes,  Presbyterian. 

The  building  is  of  brick,  covered  with  slate,  and  is  thirty-five 
by  forty-three  feet  in  dimensions,  with  a  cemetery  of  one-half 
acre  connected  with  it,  and  hitching-ground  enclosed  with  suitable 
fencing.  The  cost  of  the  building  was  about  §2,000.00,  and  the 
entire  ground  was  donated  by  Levi  Rhoads,  of  Bird-in-Hand,  Lan- 
caster county,  who  owns  the  farm  from  which  the  ground  was  taken. 
The  church  building  is  beautifully  located  in  the  country,  and  the 
burying-ground  is  of  a  sandy,  barren  soil,  and  free  of  stones. 

After  the  dedication  of  the  building  a  congregation  was  organ- 
ized by  the  election  of  James  Creswell  and  Joseph  Wimer,  elders  ; 
David  Haverstick,  Jr.,  and  George  Gaul,  deacons ;  Benjamin  B. 
Myers,  Jacob  Eckman  and  Samuel  A.  Keen,  trustees. 

The  original  members  at  the  organization  were  James  Cres- 
well, Elizabeth  Creswell,  David  Haverstick,  Sr.,  Elizabeth  Haver- 
stick, Joseph  Wimer,  Elizabeth  Wimer,  Abraham  Myers,  Ann 
Herr,  John  Carnathan,  Levinia  Carnathan,  David  Haverstick,  Jr., 
Elizabeth  Haverstick.  Rev.  J.  V.  Eckert  was  elected  pastor,  and 
has  remained  such  up  to  the  present  time. 

The  people  of  the  community  in  which  the  church  is  located 
were  previously  rather  destitute  of  church  privileges,  and  there- 
fore unaccustomed  to  attend  any  services  regularly.  They  have, 
since  the  erection  of  the  building  and  organization,  manifested  an 
awakened  interest  in  religious  services. 

The  congregation  at  present  consists  of  about  forty-five  mem- 
bers, and  is  an  incorporated  body,  the  charter  having  been 
granted  by  the  court  February  14,  1887.  The  field  of  religious 
work  is  limited.  Material  advancement  is  difficult,  as  the  locality 
is  not  wealthy.  The  church  is  now  only  thirteen  years  old.  It 
has  had  no  basis  of  traditional  Lutheranism,  and  therefore  will 
require  time  to  engraft  itself  well  in  the  community. 


278  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 


LXIII.     FIRST    LUTHERAN,    SHENANDOAH,    SCHUYL- 
KILL COUNTY. 

BY   MR.  WM.  A.  KEAGEY. 

The  First  English  Lutheran  church  of  Shenandoah,  Pa.,  was 
organized  December  18,  1881,  in  Egan's  Hall.  The  following 
were  enrolled  as  members  :  J.  H.  Kurtz,  Jacob  Glover,  John  C. 
Glover,  H.  L.  Neflf,  Henry  Miller,  Mrs.  J.  H.  Kurtz,  Mrs. 
Jacob  Glover,  Mrs.  John  C.  Glover,  Mrs.  H.  A.  Swalm,  Mrs.  D. 
W.  Glover,  Mrs.  I.  P.  Neff,  Miss  Mary  Glover,  Miss  Maggie 
Glover,  Miss  Robena  Glover,  Miss  Sue  C.  Neff. 

Rev.  I.  P.  Neff  was  chosen  as  pastor.  The  following  officers 
were  elected  by  acclamation  :  Elders,  J.  H.  Kurtz  and  H.  Miller ; 
Deacons,  Jno.  C.  Glover  and  H.  Neff;  Secretary,  J.  C.  Glover; 
Treasurer,  J.  H.  Kurtz. 

At  1 ;  30  o'clock  on  the  same  day,  the  Sunday-school  was  or- 
ganized, with  J.  H.  Kurtz  as  superintendent,  Henry  Miller,  assist- 
ant superintendent,  John  C.  Glover,  treasurer,  Maggie  Glover, 
secretary,  and  the  following  as  teachers  :  Robena  Glover,  Annie 
Kurtz,  Mary  John,  Geo.  Kurtz  and  John  C.  Glover. 

A  congregational  meeting  was  called  on  April  1,  1S83,  for  the 
purpose  of  devising  plans  for  building  a  church.  J.  C.  Glover  was 
appointed  as  a  committee  to  solicit  money  for  the  purpose  of 
building,  and  at  the  same  meeting  secured  $374.00.  On  May  8, 
1883,  the  congregation  bought  a  lot  from  J.  H.  Kurtz  for  the  con- 
sideration of  $1,250.00,  and  the  following  persons  were  appointed 
by  the  pastor,  Rev.  I.  P.  Neff,  as  a  building  committee  :  J.  H. 
Kurtz,  Jacob  Sanders,  Henry  Miller,  Geo.  Wagner,  Jno.  C.  Glover. 

The  next  minutes  are  dated  September  30, 1883,  with  Rev.  Wal- 
ter Miller  in  the  chair.  On  March  12,  1884,  fifteen  hundred  dollars 
was  received  from  the  Board  of  Church  Extension.  Rev.  Walter 
Miller  resigned  October  14,  1885.  On  January  31,  1886,  Rev. 
D.  A.  Shetler  became  pastor,  and  continued  up  to  July  10,  1888. 
On  June  10,  1889,  Rev.  D.  B.  Treibley  was  elected  pastor  of  the 
church,  and  served  until  August  1,  1891.  Rev.  M.  H.  Havice 
was  then  called  to  the  charge.  He  entered  upon  his  work  here 
December  1,  1891,  and  is  the  present  pastor. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  279 

The  church  appears  to  be  now  on  a  good  footing  and  should 
prosper.  The  membership  is  about  ninety.  The  Sunday-school 
numbers  over  one  hundred.  The  sermons  of  the  pastor  are  ap- 
preciated, and  the  congregation  is  harmonious. 


LXIV.     BETHANY    (FORMERLY    ELIZABETH  MONROE 
SMITH  MEMORIAL)  CHURCH,  PHILADELPHIA. 

BY   REV.  S.  G.  SHANNON. 

Bethany  is  one  of  the  youngest  churches  in  the  north-western 
section  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  It  is  not  yet  ten  years  old, 
and  these  have  been  years  of  toil,  self-denial  and  anxiety  to  the 
little  band  of  faithful  soldiers  of  the  Cross.  Of  this  church  it  can 
truthfully  be  said  :  "They  have  come  up  through  much  tribula- 
tion." A  preliminary  meeting  was  held  at  the  residence  of  R.  I. 
Heim,  October  22,  1883,  looking  toward  the  organization  of  a 
General  Synod  Lutheran  Church  somewhere  in  the  north-western 
section  of  the  city.  The  following  persons  were  present  :  R.  I. 
Heim,  C.  F.  Reinstein,  W.  H.  Faunce,  George  F.  Bultman,  Jas. 
Lehman  and  George  C.  Bultman,  Jr.  After  considerable  de- 
liberation, R.  I.  Heim  was  elected  chairman,  G.  C.  Bultman, 
Jr.,  secretary,  and  W.  H.  Faunce,  treasurer,  in  order  to  carry  the 
project  to  a  more  complete  and  successful  end. 

Several  meetings  were  held  in  private  residences,  and  one  pub- 
lic meeting  in  the  Independent  M.  E.  church  on  Ridge  avenue, 
near  Twenty-fifth  street,  October  28,  1883,  which  was  addressed 
by  Rev.  L.  E.  Albert,  D.  D.,  Rev.  W.  M.  Baum,  D.  D.,  Rev.  E. 
Huber,  and  Rev.  J.  H,  Menges.  This  meeting  proved  a  great 
stimulus  toward  a  permanent  organization,  which  was  effected 
November  4,  1883,  with  eighteen  members,  in  a  hall  at  No.  2529 
Ridge  avenue. 

Rev.  John  R.  Williams  became  pastor,  and  held  the  first  regular 
service  in  the  aforesaid  hall  the  same  day. 

He  was  formally  installed  as  pastor,  January  3,  1884.  A  con- 
stitution for  the  better  government  of  the  newly-formed  congre- 
gation was  adopted  on  Wednesday  evening,  January  23,  1884. 

At  a  congregational  meeting  held  September  21,  1S84,  it  was 
resolved  to  make  formal  application  to  be  received  into,  and  be- 


28o 


EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 


come  an  integral  part  of,  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod.  This  re- 
solution, with  a  formal  application,  was  presented  to  Synod,  which 
was  then  in  session  at  Easton,  Pa.,  by  R.  I.  Heim,  and  the  con- 
gregation regularly  admitted. 


BETHANY    EVANGELICAL    LUTHERAN    CHURCH,    PHILADELPHIA,   PA. 


On  December  i,  1884,  by  action  of  a  committee  appointed  for 
the  purpose,  of  which  R.  I.  Heim  was  chairman,  the  lot  at  the 
corner  of  Twenty-fifth  street  and  Montgomery  avenue  was  pur- 
chased, for  the  sum  of  $7,333.33. 

On  January  5,  1885,  the  congregation  was  incorporated  under 
the  corporate  title  of  '-'The  Memorial  Lutheran  Church  of  Phila- 
delphia." 

At  a  congregational  meeting  held  June  10, 1885,  it  was  resolved 
to  erect  a  chapel  on  the  recently  purchased  lot,  whereupon  Rev. 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  2  51 

J.  R.  Williams,  Lewis  H.  Bolton,  C.  F.  Reinstein,  R.  I.  Heim  and 
C.  E.  Bauder  were  appointed  a  building  committee  to  carry  out 
the  design  of  the  congregation.  Accordingly,  a  contract  was 
entered  into  with  J.  M.  Anderson,  of  Philadelphia,  for  the  erec- 
tion of  a  stone  chapel  forty  by  seventy  feet,  for  the  sum  of 
$6,000.00,  which  sum  was  increased  $500.00  by  deviations  from 
the  original  design. 

The  chapel  (a  cut  of  which  is  herewith  presented)  was  com- 
pleted and  dedicated  to  the  service  of  Almighty  God  April  1 1 , 
1886.  Rev.  J.  C.  Zimmerman,  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Church 
Extension,  and  Rev.  F.  W.  Conrad,  D.  D.,  editor  of  the  Lutheran 
Observer,  officiated  on  the  occasion,  other  Lutheran  pastors  of 
the  city  assisting  the  pastor  loci. 

The  requisite  amount  of  money  to  satisfy  the  claims  of  the  con- 
tractor was  not  realized  on  the  day  of  dedication,  and,  after  the 
most  strenuous  self-denial  and  sacrifice  on  the  part  of  members, 
the  congregation  was  unable  to  meet  the  demands  or  longer 
carry  the  debt. 

On  May  30,  1886,  the  contractor  notified  the  council  that  he 
would  place  a  builder's  lien  on  the  church,  which  was  promptly 
executed.  On  September  6  of  the  same  year  an  adveitisement 
of  sale  was  placed  on  the  church  door,  and  on  September  20, 
1886,  the  sheriff  of  Philadelphia  sold  the  building  to  J.  M.  Ander- 
son's attorney,  Samuel  Baker,  for  the  sum  of  fifty  dollars  ($50.00) 
subject  to  the  claim  against  it,  deeded  the  same  to  the  said 
Anderson,  and  at  the  same  time  served  a  notice  on  the  congre- 
gation to  vacate  the  premises,  or  lease  the  same  from  him  at  a 
rental  of  $60.00  per  month  in  advance.  This  was  disheartening 
to  the  little  band  of  earnest  workers  who  had  invested  their  all 
for  the  purpose  of  having  a  church  home,  and  they  were  almost 
ready  to  disband.  Some  of  the  more  enthusiastic  members 
thought  they  could  see  day  dawning  in  the  distance,  and  believed 
there  was  yet  a  future  for  a  General  Synod  Lutheran  church  in 
the  north-western  part  of  this  great  city.  They  encouraged  the 
weaker  ones  to  hold  on,  even  though  the  future  looked  dark  and 
unpromising.  After  much  prayer  and  deliberation,  the  congrega- 
tion determined  to  make  another  heroic  effort.  Having  no 
church  home,  and  there  being  no  other  alternative,  the  congre- 


252  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

gation  resolved  to  pay  the  rent  demanded,  which  they  did  for 
nearly  five  months,  during  which  period  an  amicable  arrange- 
ment was  effected  between  the  contractor  and  the  congregation, 
and,  according  to  agreement,  the  church  was  re-sold  by  the 
sheriff  of  Philadelphia,  December  28,  1886,  for  the  sum  of 
$5,050.00,  R.  I.  Heim  becoming  the  purchaser  for  the  congrega- 
tion. 

The  congregation,  now  once  more  in  possession  of  their  own 
church  home,  sought  assistance  and  sympathy  from  philanthropic 
persons.  Overtures  were  made  to  the  (now  deceased)  benevo- 
lent John  F.  Smith,  of  Broad  Street,  Philadelphia,  who  generously 
came  to  the  rescue.  A  proposition  was  made  to  memorialize 
the  chapel  to  his  deceased  wife,  Elizabeth  Monroe  Smith,  on  con- 
dition that  he  would  pay  $4,000.00,  which  he  did. 

At  a  congregational  meeting  held  March  6,  1886,  it  was  re- 
solved to  change  the  corporate  title  to  the  "  Elizabeth  Monroe 
Smith  Memorial  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  of  Philadelphia." 
Accordingly,  a  petition,  dated  May  2,  1887,  was  sent  up  to  the 
Court  of  Philadelphia,  praying  for  a  change  of  charter,  and  on 
June  2,  1887,  the  Court  granted  the  prayer  of  the  petitioners, 
and  the  chartered  title  was  changed  to  the  above.  Rev.  John  R. 
Williams  resigned  as  pastor  September  23,  1888,  the  resignation 
to  take  effect  on  the  30th  day  of  the  same  month. 

At  a  congregational  meeting  held  January  2,  1889,  Rev.  S.  G. 
Shannon,  of  Sunbury,  Pa.,  was  unanimously  elected  pastor,  and  a 
call  was  extended  to  him  at  an  annual  salary  of  $1,400.06,  the 
Home  Mission  Board  agreeing  to  pay  seven  hundred  of  the  above 
amount  the  first  year.  After  due  deliberation  the  call  was  ac- 
cepted, and  he  entered  upon  his  duties  as  pastor  of  the'congre- 
gation  April  4,  1889,  and  was  formally  installed  June  2,  1889. 
Rev.  E.  Huber,  D.  D.,  pastor  of  Messiah  Lutheran  church  of 
Philadelphia,  delivered  the  charge  to  the  pastor,  and  Rev.  H. 
M.  Bickel,  office  editor  of  the  Lutheran  Observer,  delivered  the 
charge  to  the  congregation. 

At  this  time  a  mortgaged  debt  of  $10,500.00  rested  on  the 
church  property.  A  systematic  effort  was  engaged  in  to  liquidate 
this  bonded  indebtedness,  which  was  only  partially  successful,  on 
account  of  the  Memorial  Title  of  the  church.     Mr.  Smith  had 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  283 

died,  meanwhile,  and  persons  not  related  to  Mrs.  Smith  hesitated 
to  contribute  to  the  completion  of  the  work.  This  was  reported 
to  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod,  and  at  its  meeting  held  at 
Middletown,  Pa.,  September  16-22,  1891,  the  following  was 
offered  by  Rev.  H.  W.  McKnight,  D.  D.,  LL.D. : 

"  Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed  to  unite  with 
the  pastor  and  church  council  of  the  Elizabeth  Monroe  Smith 
Memorial  Lutheran  Church  of  Philadelphia,  in  the  effort  to  induce 
the  Smith  heirs  to  pay  the  indebtedness  on  the  property." 

The  President  of  Synod  appointed  as  such  committee  Rev.  R. 
W.  Hufford,  D.  D.,  Rev.  H.  W.  McKnight,  D.  D.,  LL.D.,  Rev. 
Eli  Huber,  D.  D.,  Mr.  Henry  S.  Boner  and  F.  A.  Hartranft,  Esq. 
This  committee,  in  company  with  the  pastor,  Rev.  S.  G.  Shannon, 
held  a  colloquium  with  Mr.  Monroe  Smith,  son  of  John  F.  Smith, 
deceased,  and  representing  the  estate.  This  meeting  was  fruit- 
less so  far  as  the  liquidation  of  the  debt  was  concerned,  but  an 
agreement  was  effected  to  join  in  a  petition  to  the  court  to  re- 
move the  Memorial  and  change  the  chartered  title,  providing  the 
congregation  thought  best.  Accordingly  a  congregational  meet- 
ing was  held  November  n,  1891,  at  which  it  was  unanimously 
decided  that  it  was  to  the  best  interests  of  the  congregation  to 
secure  a  release  of  the  said  Memorial  and  a  change  of  the  corpo- 
rate name. 

A  joint  petition  of  the  congregation  and  Monroe  Smith  and 
Mary  A.  Smith  (now  Combs),  children  and  heirs  of  John  F. 
Smith,  deceased,  through  their  legal  attorney,  was  presented  to 
the  court,  praying  a  change  of  corporate  title  from  "  The  Eliza- 
beth Monroe  Smith  Memorial  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  of 
Philadelphia"  to  "Bethany  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  of 
Philadelphia."  The  prayer  of  the  petitioners  was  granted  by 
Court  No.  1  of  Philadelphia,  January  6,  1892. 

At  a  regularly-called  congregational  meeting  held  May  18, 
1892,  it  was 

Resolved,  To  enlarge  our  church  capacity  by  the  erection  of  a 
permanent  building  on  the  rear  of  the  lot. 

The  pastor  was  appointed  to  canvass  for  funds  for  this  pur- 
pose. This  canvass  is  now  in  progress,  with  what  result  time 
alone  will  tell. 


2  54  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

LXV.     BETHLEHEM  CHURCH,  HARRISBURG. 

BY    REV.  W.   H.  FISHBURN. 

In  February,  1875,  Rev.  George  F.  Stelling,  D.  D.,  then  pastor 
of  Zion  Lutheran  church,  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  originated  a  movement 
in  the  Sunday-School  Association  of  his  charge,  having  for  its 
object  the  establishing  of  a  mission  school  in  West  Harrisburg, 
"to  care  for  the  Lutheran  interests  in  that  part  of  the  city."  The 
result  of  the  steps  taken  was  the  organization  of  Bethlehem  Lu- 
theran Mission  Sunday-school,  on  April  4,  1875.  I*  first  met  m 
a  rented  room  on  Broad  street.  Mr.  L.  H.  Kinnard  was  chosen 
superintendent ;  Mr.  James  M.  Miller  was  the  secretary,  and  Dr. 
Charles  T.  George  was  the  teacher  of  the  Bible  class.  A  corps 
of  faithful  and  efficient  co-workers  made  steady  progress.  Many 
of  the  first  workers  in  the  Mission  "  remain  unto  this  present,  but 
some  are  fallen  asleep."  The  Mission  School  occupied  the  rented 
room  for  eleven  years.  The  discouragements,  the  trials  and  dis- 
appointments, the  headaches  and  heartaches,  the  self-denials  and 
thankless  labor — with  efforts  to  do  good  frequently  misunderstood 
and  unappreciated — that  were  encountered  in  those  years  by  the 
faithful  mission  workers,  cannot  be  detailed.  Yet  the  school  was 
kept  alive,  the  laborers  hoping  that  a  better  time  would  come. 

The  plot  of  ground  now  occupied  by  chapel  and  tabernacle,  at 
the  corner  of  Green  and  Cumberland  streets,  was  purchased  in 
1879,  but  it  was  not  until  1885  that  a  contract  was  made  for  the 
erection  of  the  first  building  for  Sunday-school  and  other  pur- 
poses. The  corner-stone  of  the  chapel  was  laid  on  August  23, 
1885,  by  Rev.  A.  H.  Studebaker,  then  pastor  of  the  mother  church, 
and  on  March  21,  1886,  the  structure  was  dedicated  by  the  same 
minister.  This  building,  which  is  of  brick,  with  brown-stone  trim- 
mings, in  Romanesque  architecture,  is  forty-five  by  ninety-five 
feet  in  dimensions,  and  was  comfortably  furnished.  A  week  after 
the  dedication,  the  Sunday-school  was  transferred  to  its  first  home, 
and  officers  and  teachers  realized  that  their  labors  had  not  been 
in  vain. 

In  the  fall  of  1886  a  weekly  prayer-meeting  was  established;  a 
few  months  later  the  workers  in  the  school,  together  with  a  few 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


285 


others  in  the  western  part  of  the  city,  feeling  that  the  distance  to 
Zion  was  great,  that  the  mother  church  could  spare  them,  and 
that  a  Lutheran  church  was  needed  in  this  locality,  expressed  a 
desire  for  a  separate  organization.  Overtures  were  made  to  the 
church  council  of  Zion,  having  this  end  in  view,  the  mother 
church  gave  her  consent,  and  on  March  5,  1887,  the  Court  of 
Dauphin  county  granted  a  charter  to  "Bethlehem  Lutheran 
church  of  Harrisburg,  Pa."     The  charter  was  granted  on  March 


BETHLEHEM    EVANGELICAL   LUTHERAN   CHURCH,  HARRISBURG,  PA. 

5,  on  Saturday.  On  Tuesday,  March  8,  just  three  days  after- 
wards, a  congregational  meeting  was  held  for  the  purpose  of  elect- 
ing a  pastor,  and  it  resulted  in  the  election,  by  a  unanimous  vote, 
of  Rev.  William  Haller  Fishburn.  A  call  was  extended  to  him, 
and,  after  mature  deliberation,  he  accepted  it. 

The  formal  organization  of  Bethlehem  Lutheran  church  took 
place  on  May  15,  1887,  when  pastor  Fishburn  preached  his  intro- 
ductory sermon.  Zion  church  was  closed  that  day,  and  the 
entire  membership  was  present  with  Bethlehem,  to  wish  the  new- 


260  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

born  child  God's  blessing.  Prof.  Knoche,  the  organist  of  Zion, 
with  the  choir  of  Zion,  led  the  singing.  The  children  of  Albert 
and  Catharine  Hummel  presented  the  new  congregation  with  a 
silver  communion  service,  in  memory  of  their  parents ;  and  the 
Bible  class  of  Dr.  C.  T.  George  made  the  church  a  gift  of  six 
silver  plates  for  the  offerings. 

On  the  following  Sunday,  May  22,  pastor  Fishburn  received 
one  hundred  and  six  members  into  full  communion  with  the 
church,  eighty  of  whom  came  by  certificate  from  Zion  church. 
From  this  date  services  were  regularly  held  in  the  unpretentious 
chapel,  which,  although  large,  soon  became  overcrowded.  The 
officers  in  the  first  church  council  were  as  follows  :  Trustees, 
Dr.  Charles  T.  George  and  L.  H.  Kinnard ;  Elders,  Alexander 
Blessing  and  Adam  Reel ;  Deacons,  James  M.  Miller,  Henry 
Fraley,  Charles  M.  Singer,  Charles  C.  Schriver,  James  H.  Lytle 
and  Charles  Y.  Fink  ;  Treasurer,  Alexander  Blessing  ;  Secretary, 
James  M.  Miller. 

The  crowds  soon  became  so  great  that  the  chapel  was  alto- 
gether too  small  to  accommodate  them.  A  larger  building  be- 
came imperative.  But  the  congregation  did  not  feel  able  to  erect 
a  large  building  of  costly  material.  Mr.  Fishburn  suggested  a 
"Tabernacle  "  of  wood,  built  to  accommodate  2,000  or  more  peo- 
ple, and  so  constructed  that  it  could  afterward  be  covered  with 
some  incombustible  material.  He  preached  about  the  needs  of 
the  congregation,  and  in  June,  1889,  when  the  organization  was 
only  two  years  old,  it  was  decided  to  build  a  big  tabernacle. 
Plans  were  approved,  and  the  contract  let  to  Joshua  Sweeger,  of 
Newport.  The  new  building,  with  its  furnishings,  cost  $25,000.00. 
It  was  formally  dedicated  to  Almighty  God  on  November  2,  1890, 
the  pastor's  father,  Rev.  Jeremiah  Fishburn,  of  Elizabethtown, 
conducting  the  services  of  consecration.  The  tabernacle  is  the 
most  beautiful  church  building  in  Harrisburg.  It  is  seated  with  as- 
sembly chairs  that  are  convenient  and  comfortable,  and  so  ar- 
ranged that  all  their  occupants  are  brought  within  easy  hearing  dis- 
tance of  the  preacher.  Wide  stairways  lead  from  the  pulpit  plat- 
form to  the  galleries,  which  are  also  seated  with  assembly  chairs. 
In  the  front,  facing  the  pulpit,  is  the  choir  gallery,  on  which  is  a 
magnificent  three-manual  organ,  containing  1859  speaking  pipes. 


SKETCHES   OF   CONGREGATIONS.  287 

The  main  auditorium  is  lighted  by  fifty-seven  windows  of  cathe- 
dral glass  of  richest  colors.  The  pulpit  is  of  brass,  and  is  on  the 
large  platform  between  the  stairways. 

In  the  new  building  the  congregation's  growth  has  been  rapid. 
On  the  first  Easter  after  dedication  106  new  members  were  re- 
ceived ;  and  on  the  following  Easter,  193.  Members  have  been 
received  every  time  the  communion  has  been  celebrated.  The 
total  membership  is  now  between  700  and  800. 

From  time  to  time  pastor  Fishburn  has  found  it  necessary  to 
increase  the  number  of  men  in  the  working  council  of  the  church, 
until  it  now  numbers  2  trustees,  4  elders,  1 2  deacons,  1 2  advisers, 
12  third  committeemen,  60  auxiliaries,  a  treasurer,  and  the  pastor, 
— in  all,  104  men.  The  city  has  been  divided  by  the  pastor  into 
twelve  wards,  and  over  each  ward  a  committee  of  eight  men  is 
placed.  A  complete  directory  of  the  church  and  all  its  auxiliary 
societies  is  published  annually.  There  are  in  connection  with  the 
church  a  Mite  society,  a  Social  Circle,  a  Christian  helpers'  society, 
a  senior  and  junior  Young  People's  Society  of  Christian  Endea- 
vor, a  Sewing  society,  and  other  organizations,  all  of  which  make 
the  outlook  for  the  future  most  encouraging. 


LXVI.  IMMANUEL  CHURCH,  NORWOOD,  DELAWARE 

COUNTY. 

BY  REV.  E.  S.  MORELL. 

Norwood  is  a  suburban  village,  situated  in  Delaware  County, 
Pa.,  on  the  Philadelphia,  Wilmington  and  Baltimore  Railroad, 
about  eight  and  a  half  miles  from  Broad  and  Market  Street  Sta- 
tion, Philadelphia.  In  the  former  part  of  June,  1888,  Rev.  E.  S. 
Morell,  pastor  of  the  St.  James'  Lutheran  Church  at  Chalfont, 
Bucks  County,  Pa.,  visited  Norwood,  and  ascertained  that  there 
was  no  religious  organization  there  save  a  few  Methodists,  who 
held  religious  services  in  a  room  of  a  vacant  dwelling-house,  and 
that  a  large  proportion  of  the  population  were  of  Lutheran  per- 
suasion. Regarding  it  as  a  promising  field  for  mission  work,  he 
held  a  consultation  with  the  brethren  in  Philadelphia,  and  a  self- 
appointed  committee,  consisting  of  Rev.  Wm.  M.  Baum,  D.  D., 


288 


EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 


Rev.  Eli  Huber,  D.  D.,  Henry  S.  Boner,  Superintendent  of  the 
Lutheran  Publication  House,  and  Rev.  E.  S.  Morell,  visited  the 
locality.  After  a  careful  observation,  all  were  favorably  impressed, 
and  decided  that  a  Mission  of  our  church  should  be  started  at 
once.  A  communication  was  then  sent  to  Rev.  Jacob  A.  Clutz, 
Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Home  Missions,  directing  his  attention 
to  it.  In  the  meantime,  permission  was  obtained  from  the  pub- 
lic school  directors  to  hold  meetings  in  the  school  building. 
Circulars  were  then  distributed   throughout  the  community,  in- 


IMMANl'EL    KVANGELICAL    LUTHERAN    CHURCH,    NORWOOD,    FA. 

forming  them  that  a  Lutheran  Sabbath-school  would  commence 
on  the  following  Sabbath  afternoon,  and  also  requesting  the  par- 
ents to  assemble  there  on  Sabbath  evening. 

The  attendance  at  the  first  session  of  the  Sabbath-school  was 
nine  adults  and  twenty-eight  children.  An  organization  was  then 
effected,  with  Chas.  G.  Boekenkamp,  a  staunch  Lutheran,  as  its 
Superintendent.  In  the  evening,  about  sixty  adults  were  present, 
and  a  preaching  service  was  conducted  by  Rev.  E.  S.  Morell. 
On  July  29,  1888,  Rev.  Jacob  A.  Clutz,  Secretary  of  the  Board  of 
Home  Missions,  was  present  at  the  morning  and  evening  service. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  289 

He  preached  in  the  morning,  and  Rev.  E.  S.  Morell  in  the  even- 
ing. When,  before  closing  the  service,  Rev.  Clutz  asked  for  an 
expression  by  a  rising  vote,  of  the  willingness  of  those  present  to 
co-operate  in  the  work  of  a  Mission  enterprise,  there  was  a  unan- 
imous response. 

After  the  return  of  the  Secretary  to  Baltimore,  the  Board  of 
Home  Missions  sent  a  commission  to  Rev.  E.  S.  Morell  to  com- 
mence the  establishment  of  a  Lutheran  Mission  at  Norwood, 
Delaware  County,  Pa.,  September  i,  1888.  The  organization  of 
a  church  was  formally  effected,  September  30,  1888,  with  twenty- 
two  members,  after  which  a  church  building-lot  in  a  central  lo- 
cality was  purchased  for  five  hundred  dollars.  Upon  this  lot  the 
corner-stone  for  a  church  building  was  laid  with  appropriate  ser- 
vices, May  1,  1889,  the  sermon  being  preached  by  Rev.  Eli 
Huber,  D.  D.  The  church  building  was  dedicated  November 
10,  1889,  Rev.  J.  H.  Menges  preaching  the  dedication  sermon 
and  conducting  the  financiering.  Subscriptions  to  the  amount  of 
$1,010.09,  were  secured  during  the  day.  The  total  cost  of  the 
church  building  and  ground  was  $5,114.47,  which  was  covered  by 
donations  and  subscriptions,  except  about  $1,775.00,  of  which 
$775.00  has  since  been  paid  off,  leaving  the  church  encumbered 
at  present  with  a  mortgage  of  $1,000.00,  at  five  per  cent,  interest 

The  present  communicant  membership  is  sixty-nine,  with  a 
Sabbath-school  of  one  hundred  and  forty-eight  officers,  teachers 
and  scholars.  Rev.  E.  S.  Morell  is  the  pastor,  his  salary  being 
six  hundred  dollars,  of  which  the  Board  of  Home  Missions  pays 
three  hundred.  The  members  of  the  Church  Council  are  :  Trus- 
tees, Chas.  G.  Boekenkamp,  Frank  W.  Taylor,  Dr.  J.  N.  Wunder- 
lich,  Theodore  Kreeger,  Sr. ;  Elders,  John  Harrison,  Henry 
Schroeder,  Dr.  Geo.  F.  Baier ;  Deacons,  Walter  L.  Orwig,  Chas. 
H.  Boekenkamp,  Thos.  W.  Pennypacker,  Jacob  Meier. 


LXVU.     ALL  SAINTS'  CHURCH,  PHILADELPHIA. 

BY  REV.   F.  P.  MANHART. 

In  December,  1888,  a  Lutheran  Sunday-school  was  organized 
in  a  building  on  Sixteenth  street,  near  Cayuga,  in  the  northern 
part  of  Philadelphia.     The  building  had   been  erected    by  Mr. 


290  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA   SYNOD. 

Wm.  F.  Shaw,  a  large  publisher  of  music,  who  expected  to  have  a 
permanent  Moravian  church  established  in  it.  An  effort  by  the 
Moravians  to  establish  such  a  church  failed  ;  succeeding  efforts  to 
maintain  a  union  Sunday-school  languished.  Mr.  Frank  A.  Hart- 
ranft,  an  attorney-  at-law,  and  a  member  of  the  Messiah  Lutheran 
church,  was  invited  to  take  charge  of  the  Sunday-school.  He  did 
so  in  December,  1888,  with  the  understanding  that  the  school 
would  become  Lutheran,  and  that  the  property  would  be  deeded  to 
trustees  appointed  by  the  Philadelphia  Conference,  to  be  held  in 
trust  by  them  for  a  congregation  to  be  formed,  and  to  be  con- 
nected with  the  Synod  of  East  Pennsylvania. 

The  conditions  were  met.  The  property  consisted  of  a  lot 
thirty  four  by  one  hundred  and  sixty- eight  feet,  having  upon  it  a 
building  thirty-four  by  one  hundred  and  twenty-eight  feel.  It 
was  encumbered  by  a  ground- rent  and  mortgage,  together 
amounting  to  $6,200.00.  Through  the  efforts  of  the  Conference 
and  Mr.  Hartranft,  regular  services  were  maintained  from  Decem- 
ber, 1888,  to  April,  1889.  In  February,  1889,  Rev.  Frank  P. 
Manhart,  of  Bloomsburg,  Pa.,  was  asked  to  become  pastor.  He 
accepted,  and  commenced  his  labors  on  Sunday,  April  7,  1889. 
On  April  14  a  congregation  was  organized  with  seventeen  mem- 
bers. It  was  based  upon  the  doctrinal  position  and  polity  of  the 
Synod  of  East  Pennsylvania  and  the  General  Synod.  On  Wed- 
nesday, the  1 7th,  a  congregational  constitution  and  the  name,  "  All 
Saints'  ",  was  adopted.  (Three  adjacent  streets  being  named  St. 
Luke's,  St.  Mark's  and  St.  Paul's  respectively,  a  desire  was  felt  to 
secure  a  name  apropos  to  local  surroundings.)  A  Church  Coun- 
cil consisting  of  the  following  was  elected  :  Elders,  Frank  A. 
Hartranft,  Esq.,  Charles  G.  Marshall  and  Hamilton  Bingham  : 
Deacons,  Charles  C.  Hess,  Sam.  J.  Lauber  and  A.  J.  Rudolph. 
The  congregation  was  received  into  the  Synod  of  East  Pennsyl- 
vania in  September,  1889.  At  the  time  of  this  writing  it  numbers 
seventy-seven  communicants,  and  an  enrollment  in  the  Sunday- 
school  of  two  hundred. 

On  June  1,  1892,  it  took  title  to  a  plot  of  ground  about  one- 
half  acre  in  size,  and  fronting  on  Germantown  avenue  and  Cayuga 
and  Nineteenth  streets.  The  cost,  $6,000.00,  was  hardly  more 
than  half  its  market  value.     It  is  admirably  located,  and  with  its 


SKETCHES   OF   CONGREGATIONS.  291 

ample  proportions  offers  the  best  site  for  the  permanent  home  ot 
All  Saints'  in  its  section  of  the  city. 

The  Common  Service  has  been  in  continuous  use  from  the  be- 
ginning. Available  "  Lutheran  material  "  has  been  scarce  in  the 
neighborhood.  In  the  membership  are  persons  formerly  con- 
nected with  eight  different  denominations.  The  neighborhood 
greatly  needs  a  church  of  the  generous  and  progressive  character 
which  All  Saints'  aims  to  maintain. 


LXVIII.     ST.  MATTHEW'S  CHURCH,  ALLENTOWN. 

KY  REV.  CHAS.  E.  HAY. 

In  response  to  a  call  appearing  in  the  daily  papers  of  Allen- 
town,  Pa.,  about  one  hundred  persons  assembled  in  a  vacant 
store-room  at  No.  830^  Hamilton  street  on  the  evening  of  Feb- 
ruary 4,  1890,  to  consider  the  propriety  of  organizing  another 
English  Lutheran  church.  Mr.  Francis  S.  Wilt  was  called  to  the 
chair,  and  Mr.  Wm.  J.  Frederick  was  appointed  secretary.  It 
was  unanimously  decided  to  establish  a  congregation  to  be  in 
connection  with  the  General  Synod.  Several  hundred  dollars 
were  provisionally  subscribed  toward  the  necessary  current  ex- 
penses for  one  year.  A  further  meeting  was  held  on  February 
n,  when  a  provisional  form  of  constitution  was  adopted 
and  Rev.  Chas.  E.  Hay,  who  had  just  resigned  as  pastor  of 
St.  Paul's,  was  invited  to  hold  services  in  the  store-room  on  the 
following  Sunday,  February  16.  The  invitation  was  accepted. 
Bare  floors  and  unpainted  chairs  did  not  in  the  least  detract  from 
the  fervor  of  the  enthusiastic  and  reverent  worshipers  who  filled 
the  room  at  the  appointed  hours.  During  the  following  week  a 
large,  furnished,  third-story  hall,  at  the  corner  of  Eighth  and 
Hamilton  streets,  was  rented  for  an  indefinite  period  at  $2.00  per 
week,  the  free  use  of  the  above-mentioned  store-room  being 
kindly  granted  by  its  owner,  Dr.  H.  A.  Grim,  for  all  meetings 
during  the  week. 

On  February  23,  after  a  brief  service,  a  congregational  meeting 
was  held,  at  which  a  formal  organization  was  effected  and  the  fol- 
lowing were  elected  as  church  officers  :     Elders,  P.  K.  Grim,  F. 


292 


EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 


S.  Wilt,  H.  D.  Biever  and  Edwin  Fetzer  ;  Deacons,  C.  J.  P. 
Bittner'  J.  C.  Kleinsmith,  W.  J.  Frederick,  L.  O.  Shankweiler, 
I.  W.  Leiby  and  J.  Lehrman.  These  brethren  were  installed  at 
the  evening  service,  and,  at  a  congregational  meeting  which  im- 
mediately followed,  nominated  for  the  office  of  pastor  Rev.  Chas. 
E.  Hay,  who  was  unanimously  elected. 


ST.  MATTHEW'S    EVANGELICAL    LUTHERAN    CHAPEL,   ALLENTOWN,    PA. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day  a  Sunday-school  was  estab- 
lished, with  a  total  enrollment  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-seven, 
and  a  temporary  organization  with  seven  officers  and  eighteen 
teachers  The  church  council  organized  on  the  following  day  by 
electing  Mr.  P.  K.  Grim  as  treasurer,  Mr.  H.  J.  Michael  as  sec- 
retary, and  Mr.  C.  J.  Bittner  as  financial  secretary. 

On  March  14,  a  plot  of  ground   80x126  feet,  at  the  corner  of 
Tenth  and  Maple  streets,  was  purchased  for  $4,200.00,  upon  the 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  293 

rear  of  which  it  was  decided  to  erect  a  brick  chapel  40x75  feet 
in  dimensions.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  on  Whitsunday,  May 
25,  the  congregation  and  Sunday-school  marching  in  a  body 
from  the  hall  to  the  site.  Addresses  were  delivered  by  Revs.  R. 
W.  Hufford  and  C.  A.  Hay,  D.  D.,  the  pastor  conducting  the 
official  ceremony,  and  Revs.  J.  A.  Singmaster  and  S.  A.  Repass, 
D.  D.,  assisting.  The  Allentown  band  orchestra  kindly  furnished 
appropriate  music.  The  members  of  the  congregation  at  this 
time,  whose  names  were  deposited  in  the  corner-stone,  num- 
bered, with  the  class  of  seven  catechumens  just  confirmed,  151. 
Of  these,  133  had  withdrawn  from  St.  Paul's  congregation. 

The  completed  chapel,  costing  about  $6,000.00,  was  dedicated 
October  26,  Rev.  W.  M.  Baum,  D.  D.,  of  Philadelphia,  officiating 
with  the  pastor.  The  Sunday-school  was  addressed  in  the  after- 
noon by  Dr.  Baum  and  Revs.  J.  A.  Singmaster  and  M.  K.  Richards, 
D.  D.  On  the  following  evenings  divine  services  were  conducted, 
appropriate  sermons  being  preached  by  Revs.  T.  C.  Billheimer, 
D.  D.,  C.  R.  Trowbridge,  R.  H.  Clare  and  W.  H.  Dunbar. 

The  chapel  is  a  neat  and  substantial  structure,  with  a  seating 
capacity  of  450.  The  large  front  window  was  presented  by  Mr. 
W.  J.  Frederick  as  a  memorial  of  his  three  bright  boys  who  have 
been  called  to  the  better  world.  The  pastors  ,of  the  Easton 
Conference,  by  personal  contributions,  provided  for  two  windows, 
in  honor  of  Revs.  A.  D.  Rowe  and  C.  A.  Stork,  D.  D.  The  re- 
maining windows  were,  by  the  generosity  of  friends,  inscribed 
to  the  memory  of  Rev.  G.  F.  Stelling,  D.  D.,  Mrs.  Eliza  Hay 
Morris,  Mrs.  Eliza  Ebert  Hay,  Rev.  A.  H.  Lochman,  D.  D., 
Rev.  J.  A.  Brown,  D.  D.,  LL.  I).,  Daniel  K.  Grim,  Mrs.  Rebeeca 
Young  Billmyer,  Rev.  D.  J.  Hauer,  D.  D.,  Daniel  Eppley,  Rev. 
Samuel  Yingling,  Mrs.  Hannah  Roth.  The  central  window  in 
the  gallery  was  inserted  by  the  members  of  the  Bible  class,  in 
memory  of  Mr.  Franklin  K.  Kern,  who  had  done  efficient  ser- 
vice for  years  as  instructor  of  the  English  Bible  class  in  St.  Paul's. 
The  pulpit  furniture  was  a  gift  from  Messrs.  Francis  and  Frank 
D.  Wilt,  the  elegant  carving  being  the  handiwork  of  the  latter. 
Organs  were  presented  by  Messrs.  W.  J.  Frederick  and  Irvin  F. 
Kemmerer.  Blackboard,  clocks,  communion  services,  pulpit 
Bible  and  hymn-book,  besides  many  contributions  of  cash  or  its 
equivalent,  attested  the  good-will  of  members  and  friends. 


294  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

The  Board  of  Church  Extension  granted  a  loan  of  $3,000.00 
without  interest  for  five  years.  Beyond  this  there  remains  less 
than  $900.00  of  indebtedness. 

The  Board  of  Home  Missions  has  made  an  annually  decreas- 
ing appropriation  towards  the  pastor's  salary. 

The  congregation  now  numbers  one  hundred  and  eighty-three, 
and  expects  to  become  self-sustaining  by  April  1,  1894. 

The  Sunday-school  has  always  been  a  very  prominent  factor  in 
the  work  of  the  Mission.  A  full  organization  was  not  effected 
until  the  completion  of  the  chapel,  when  the  following  were 
elected  as  officers  and  teachers :  General  Superintendent,  the 
pastor ;  General  Secretary,  J.  C.  Kleinsmith  ;  General  Treasurer, 
H.  D.  Biever;  Ushers,  E.  Fetzer,  J.  H.  Millar.  Infant  Depart- 
ment— Superintendent,  I.  W.  Leiby  ;  Organist,  Mrs.  L.  O.  Shank- 
weiler ;  Teachers,  Mrs.  Henry  Heckman,  Mrs.  J.  B.  Frederick, 
Mrs.  C.  W.  Kleinsmith,  Mrs.  J.  H.  Millar,  Mrs.  C.  J.  Heckman, 
Miss  Annie  M.  Weaver.  Intermediate  Department — Superin- 
tendent, W.  J.  Frederick ;  Assistant  Superintendent,  F.  S.  Wilt  ; 
Secretary,  J.  C.  Kleinsmith  ;  Treasurer,  H.  D.  Biever;  Librarian, 
G.  H.  Schillinger  ;  Organist,  Mrs.  C.  E.  Hay  ;  Teachers,  H.  1). 
Biever,  F.  S.  Wilt,  J.  Lehrman,  Mrs.  H.  D.  Biever,  Mrs.  C.  E. 
Hay,  Misses  Ella  Merkle,  Hannah  Merkle,  Millie  M.  Spatz, 
Maggie  E.  Spatz,  Emma  R.  Frederick,  Minnie  M.  Kuntz,  Laura 
A.  Weaver.  Bible  Class — Superintendent,  L.  O.  Shankweiler ; 
Secretary,  J.  H.  Millar;  Treasurer,  C.  J.  P.  Bittner ;  Enumerator, 
G.  B.  Frederick. 

The  entire  enrollment  of  the  school  is  at  present  about  three 
hundred.  There  are  three  active  organizations  which  are  render- 
ing valuable  assistance,  i.  <?.,  a  Ladies'  Aid  Society,  a  Young 
People's  Society  and  a  Band  of  Little  Helpers.  A  parish  paper 
has  been  found  a  most  useful  auxiliary. 

St.  Matthew's  is  the  seventh  Lutheran  congregation  in  a  com- 
munity of  28,000,  though  but  the  second  in  which  the  English 
language  is  exclusively  used.  Its  growth  cannot  be  phenomenal 
in  numbers,  but  promises  to  be  steady  and  substantial.  Pastor 
and  people  labor  in  entire  harmony,  and  a  spirit  of  hopefulness 
prevails,  which,  under  the  blessing  of  God,  is  the  surest  pledge  of 
a  useful  and  prosperous  future. 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  295 

LXIX.     CHRIST  CHURCH,  HARRISBURG. 

BY  REV.  T.  L.  CROUSE. 

This  church  was  organized  March  23,  1890,  at  a  meeting  pre- 
sided over  by  Rev.  D.  M.  Cilbert,  D.  I).,  pastor  of  Zion  Luth- 
eran church,  Harrisburg.  Sixty-two  was  the  number  of  mem- 
bers at  the  time  of  organization.  Sixty  of  this  number  had  with- 
drawn from  Memorial  Lutheran  church,  believing  that  there  was 
room  for  another  Lutheran  organization  in  the  eastern  portion  of 
the  city.  After  the  organization,  steps  were  at  once  taken  look- 
ing to  the  erection  of  a  church  building.  Soon  a  piece  of  ground 
was  purchased  at  the  cost  of  fifteen  hundred  dollars.  In  July  the 
ground  was  broken,  and  on  Sunday  afternoon  at  four  o'clock, 
August  17,  1890,  the  corner-stone  of  the  new  building  was  laid  by 
the  pastor,  Rev.  Theodore  L.  Crouse.  Rev.  E.  J.  Wolf,  D.  D.,  of 
the  Theological  Seminary,  Gettysburg,  was  present  and  delivered 
an  address. 

The  pastor,  Rev.  T.  L.  Crouse,  was  elected  April  23,  1890. 
He  preached  his  first  sermons  to  the  congregation  Easter  Sun- 
day, April  6,  on  which  day  the  first  communion  was  celebrated, 
and  several  persons  received  into  the  church.  Rev.  Crouse  took 
regular  charge  of  the  work  July  3,  1890. 

All  the  services  of  the  congregation,  including  Sunday-school 
and  Wednesday  evening  prayer  meeting,  were  held,  for  a  period 
of  about  eleven  months,  in  one  of  the  upper  rooms  of  the  Web- 
ster public  school  building,  located  at  the  corner  of  Thirteenth 
and  Kittatinny  streets. 

March  15,  1891,  the  church  building  was  dedicated,  Rev.  W. 
S.  Freas,  of  York,  preaching  the  dedicatory  sermon.  Rev.  H.  H. 
Weber,  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Church  Extension,  had  charge 
of  the  finances.  About  sixty-four  hundred  dollars  were  pledged 
and  contributed  on  that  day.  Previously  about  thirty-six  hun- 
dred dollars  had  been  paid  in  or  subscribed,  which,  with  the  con- 
tributions and  pledges  on  the  day  of  dedication,  covered  the  cost 
of  the  building  and  lot,  which  was  something  more  than  ten  thou- 
sand dollars. 

The  membership  at  that  time  numbered  ninety-four.  The 
building  was  set  apart  to  the  worship  of  God  by  the  pastor.     The 


296  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

following  ministerial  brethren  took  part  in  the  services  of  the 
day:  Revs.  W.  S.  Freas,  H.  H.  Weber,  J.  W.  Richard,  D.  D. 
(who  preached  in  the  evening)  and  F.  L.  Bergstresser.  Rev.  S. 
Dasher  was  also  present  both  morning  and  evening. 

Three  years'  time  was  given  in  which  to  pay  the  subscriptions. 
The  congregation's  present  indebtedness  is  something  less  than 
four  thousand  dollars.  It  does  not  own  a  parsonage.  The  con- 
gregation has  been  self-supporting  from  the  beginning. 

The  Sunday-school  work  was  begun  one  week  after  the  organi- 
zation of  the  congregation.  Two  weeks  after  this,  or  three  weeks 
from  date  of  organization,  a  Sunday-school  was  established  in  a 
school  house  in  East  End,  about  ten  squares  from  the  location  of 
the  church  building.  Revs.  M.  P.  Hocker,  President  of  the  Har- 
risburg  Conference,  and  F.  L.  Bergstresser,  were  present  at  that 
meeting.  Mr.  W.  H.  Hoerner  was  elected  superintendent  of  this 
Sunday-school,  which  position  he  also  held  in  the  other  and  older 
school.  These  schools  have  an  enrolled  membership  respectively 
of  about  325  and  80. 

The  Lutheran  Observer  is  read  in  about  forty  families,  and  the 
Missionary  journal  pays  its  monthly  visits  to  a  few  of  the  homes 
of  the  people.  The  Augsburg  Sunday-school  literature  is  used  in 
both  schools. 

The  Young  People's  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor  numbers 
about  eighty  members.  It  is  active  and  helpful.  The  Ladies' 
Aid  Society,  whose  history  begins  with  the  history  of  the  congre- 
gation, has  been  instrumental  in  raising  annually  a  large  sum  of 
money.  Besides  helping  to  pay  the  indebtedness  on  the  church 
building,  this  society  has  been  paying  the  interest  on  all  borrowed 
money. 

LXX.     ST.  MARK'S  CHURCH,  CONSHOHOCKEN,  MONT- 
GOMERY COUNTY. 

BY  REV.  J.   F.  SHEARER. 

In  the  fall  of  1889  Rev.  A.  H.  F.  Fischer,  pastor  of  St.  Peter's 
Evangelical  Lutheran  church  of  Barren  Hill,  Pa.,  looking  over  the 
field  of  Conshohocken,  so  long  neglected  by  the  Lutheran  Church, 
and  learning  of  a  number  of  Lutheran  families  there,  felt  the  ne- 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  297 

cessity  of  doing  something  for  their  welfare.  The  matter  was 
brought  before  the  Philadelphia  Conference,  by  which  body  it  was 
referred  to  a  committee  consisting  of  Mr.  Fischer  and  Rev.  M.  S. 
Cressman,  pastor  at  Lionville,  Pa.  They  visited  the  place  in 
December,  1889,  and  secured  the  M.  E.  church  for  the  hold- 
ing of  a  service  two  weeks  later,  at  which  time  the  pastor  of  St. 
Peter's  preached.  After  another  interval  of  two  weeks,  services 
were  again  held  by  Mr.  Fischer,  and  a  committee  was  appointed 
to  secure  a  hall  for  the  purpose  of  starting  a  mission  Sabbath- 
school.  The  newly-dedicated  hall  of  the  W.  C.  T.  U.  on  Third 
Avenue  was  procured,  and  a  Sabbath-school  was  organized,  with 
Mr.  J.  S.  Moser  as  superintendent,  while  the  general  pastoral  sup- 
ervision of  its  interests  was  under  the  care  of  the  pastor  at  Barren 
Hill.  Preaching  services  were  conducted  every  two  weeks  in  the 
afternoon  by  Mr.  Fischer,  until  the  February  meeting  of  Confer- 
ence, when  arrangements  were  made  to  have  the  ministers  of 
Conference  serve  the  mission  until  the  June  meeting. 

The  mission  in  the  meanwhile  made  encouraging  increase  in 
numbers,  and  on  the  evening  of  April  15,  1890,  the  committee 
called  a  meeting  of  the  members  of  the  mission  in  the  hall  for  the 
purpose  of  organizing  a  congregation.  After  the  singing  of  Hymn 
202,  "  I  love  Thy  Zion,  Lord,"  and  the  reading  of  the  84th  Psalm 
by  Mr.  Fischer,  Mr.  Cressman  offered  prayer,  and  then  stated  the 
purpose  of  the  meeting.  The  names  of  twenty-five  persons  were 
enrolled.  The  constitution,  as  recorded  in  the  church-book,  was 
adopted  seriatim  and  then  unanimously  as  a  whole.  The  organi- 
zation was  completed  by  electing  the  following  temporary  offi- 
cers :  President,  J.  S.  Moser  ;  Secretary,  J.  J.  Becker  ;  Treasurer. 
J.  K.  Streeper. 

On  April  22  a  meeting  of  the  congregation  was  held  at  the 
residence  of  J.  S.  Moser,  and  the  name,  ''St.  Mark's  Lutheran 
church  of  Conshohocken,"  was  unanimously  selected.  At  this 
meeting  the  following  officers  were  also  elected  :  Elders,  Wm. 
P.  Ely  and  J.  S.  Moser ;  Deacons,  Eugene  A.  Fillman,  J.  J. 
Becker,  Mark  Staley  and  Jacob  K.  Streeper. 

In  July  Mr.  J.  M.  Fiancis,  a  theological  student  at  the  Seminary 
at  Gettysburg,  was  engaged  to  supply  the  pulpit,  which  he  did 
very  acceptably  until  the  first  of  September,  when  he  returned  to 


298  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

the  Seminary  to  pursue  his  studies.  From  the  first  of  September 
to  the  first  of  December,  the  mission  was  supplied  with  preaching 
by  different  ministers  of  Philadelphia  Conference.  In  the  month 
of  November  a  call  was  extended  to  Rev.  J.  F.  Shearer,  of  Somer- 
set, Pa.,  to  become  pastor  of  the  mission.  He  accepted,  and 
took  charge  December  1,  1890. 

In  November,  1892,  one  of  the  most  desirable  lots  for  church 
purposes,  located  on  Fifth  avenue,  at  the  corner  of  Harry  street, 
was  purchased  by  the  congregation,  with  the  view  of  erecting  a 
church  building  thereon  as  soon  as  possible.  A  building  com- 
mittee was  selected,  consisting  of  J.  F.  Shearer,  Wm.  P.  Fly,  J.  S. 
Moser,  J.  Warren  Schlichter  and  I.  J.  Moyer,  who  at  once  took 
steps  to  secure  a  plan  for  a  church  building.  The  plan  submitted 
by  Mr.  Isaac  Purcell,  an  architect  of  Philadelphia,  seemed  in  the 
opinion  of  the  committee  to  be  well  adapted  to  the  needs  of  the 
congregation,  and  was  unanimously  adopted. 

July  25,  1892,  ground  was  broken  for  laying  the  foundation  of 
the  church,  and  on  Sunday,  September  n,  the  corner-stone  was 
laid.  The  Lutheran  ministers  present  on  this  occasion,  and  tak- 
ing some  part  in  the  service,  were  Drs.  Baum,  Albert,  Holman, 
Revs.  A.  H.  F.  Fischer,  S.  G.  Shannon  and  J.  F.  Shearer.  Drs. 
Baum  and  Albert  delivered  appropriate  and  impressive  addresses. 
The  ministers  of  the  Presbyterian,  Episcopal,  Baptist  and  Meth- 
odist rhurches  of  this  place  were  also  present  to  commend  the 
work  of  the  mission. 

The  church  building  is  now  under  roof.  It  is  of  Conshohocken 
limestone,  beautiful  in  design,  modern  in  its  appointments,  and 
universally  admired  by  the  citizens  of  the  town.  It  also  compares 
quite  favorably  with  the  other  churches  of  the  place.  It  is  ex- 
pected that  the  church  will  be  ready  for  dedication  by  the  month 
of  May,  1893.  The  membership  of  the  church  now  numbers  83. 
The  Sabbath-school  has  on  its  roll  215  scholars,  and  has,  per- 
haps, an  average  attendance  of  150. 

Many  of  the  citizens  have  manifested  their  interest  in  the  mis- 
sion by  liberal  contributions  toward  the  church  building.  The 
members  of  the  mission  are  not  possessed  of  great  wealth,  and 
many  of  them  deserve  commendation  for  the  self-sacrificing  spirit 
manifested  in  their  efforts  to  give  our  beloved  church  an  honored 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  299 

and  a  commanding  position  among  the  denominations  of  the 
place.  Some  of  our  people  are  among  the  most  earnest  Chris- 
tian workers  of  the  town,  and  are  highly  respected  for  their  work's 
sake.  If  the  entire  indebtedness  of  the  church  is  to  be  removed 
in  a  reasonable  time,  they  will  be  compelled  to  ask  aid  from 
others  outside  of  their  own  town.  Such  an  appeal  would  merit  a 
patient  hearing  and  liberal  response. 


LXXI.      TRINITY    CHURCH,    COATESVILLE,    CHESTER 

COUNTY. 

BY  REV.  W.  H.  STECK. 

Trinity  Lutheran  church,  of  Coatesville,  is  in  large  measure 
the  outgrowth  of  Blessing  Sunday-school,  which  was  organized 
in  an  old  mill  on  the  property  of  Paul  Blessing,  some  fourteen 
years  previous  to  the  organization  of  the  church.  The  Sunday- 
school  was  undenominational,  and  Mr.  John  Hope  continued  to 
be  its  faithful  superintendent  from  its  organization  until  it  was 
merged  into  the  Lutheran  church. 

Up  to  the  year  1890,  no  special  attention  had  been  given  to 
the  matter  of  establishing  a  Lutheran  church  at  this  point.  For 
some  years  previous  to  that  date  a  few  individual  members  had 
wished  and  hoped  for  a  church  of  their  first  love,  but,  as  of  the 
original  settlers  of  old  Chester  county  very  few  were  Lutherans, 
these  scattered  children  of  the  Church  of  the  Reformation  had  to 
wait  long  for  the  full  realization  of  their  hopes. 

Early  in  the  year  1890  Mrs.  J.  A.  Hope  called  upon  Rev.  M.  S. 
Cressman,  of  Lionville,  and  secured  his  services  to  preach  what, 
so  far  as  the  record  shbws,  was  the  first  Lutheran  sermon  ever 
preached  in  Coatesville.  A  few  months  afterwards  the  attention 
of  the  Philadelphia  Conference  was  called  to  this  inviting  and 
seemingly  very  promising  field,  and  Rev.  L.  E.  Albert,  D.  D.,  Rev. 
B.  F.  Alleman,  D.  D.,  and  Rev.  M.  S.  Cressman  were  sent  "  to 
spy  out  the  land."  Encouraged  by  the  report  they  brought,  the 
Conference  appointed  Rev.  W.  H.  Steck  temporarily  as  mission- 
ary %to  look  up  the  field,  and  report  back  to  the  Conference  the 
prospect,  and  whether  the  opportune  time  had  come  for  organiz- 


3°° 


EASl     I'KNNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 


ing  a  mission  in  the  new  field.     After  a  careful  canvass  of  the 
territory,  steps  were  taken  to  organize  at  once. 

The  organization  was  effected  June  9,  1890.  Though  number- 
ing only  seventeen,  there  being  among  the  few  some  made  of  the 
stuff  of  which  Gideon's  three  hundred  were  made,  they  decided 
to  secure  a  lot  and  build,  their  motto  being  that  of  other  success- 
ful builders  :  "  For  we  are  able." 


I     to:*, 


^^ll^iiS^te-lsSKt-  -! 


^#J  sea 


TRINITY  EVAN(;ELICAL  LUTHERAN    CHURCH,  COATESVILLE,  PA. 

This  little  determined  band  proved  their  faith  by  their  works, 
and  on  Sunday,  November  1,  1891,  the  corner-stone  was  laid  with 
appropriate  ceremonies.  Rev.  J.  M.  Steck,  brother  of  the  pastor, 
preached  the  sermon,  most  appropriate  and  eloquent,  to  a  large 
audience  in  the  Coatesville  opera  house.  Over  $5 00.00  was 
raised  on  the  day  of  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone. 

The  work  of  building  went  on  encouragingly.  Several  thousand 
dollars  had  been  subscribed,  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society,  which  had 
been  doing  splendid  work,  had  raised  about  one  thousand  dollars, 
the  lot  had  been  paid  for,  and  all  were  fully  convinced  that  the 
time  had  come  when  Lutheranism  would  have  a  local  habitation 
as  well  as  a  name  in  the  town  of  Coatesville.     September  1,  1890, 


SKETCHES   Ob'   CONGREGATIONS.  301 

the  Home  Mission  Board  appointed  Rev.  W.  H.  Steck  as  their 
regular  missionary  in  the  new  field,  who  has  continued  his  work 
as  such  up  to  this  time,  September  21,  1892. 

On  Sunday,  June  19,  1892,  the  church,  of  which  the  accompany- 
ing cut  is  a  good  representation,  was  dedicated.  Rev.  H.  H. 
Weber,  Rev.  A.  Stewart  Hartman,  Rev.  J.  M.  Steck,  Rev.  M.  S. 
Cressman  and  the  pastor,  Rev.  W.  H.  Steck,  participated  in  the 
joyous  feast  of  dedication,  Mr.  Cressman  preaching  the  dedica- 
tion sermon,  which  was  most  appropriate  and  well  received  by  an 
audience  that  filled  the  house  to  overflowing.  On  the-  day  of 
dedication  about  $3,500.00  were  subscribed,  leaving  only  a  little 
more  than  $2,000.00  to  raise  upon  the  lot  and  new  building, 
which  cost  over  $13,000.00.  To  encourage  the  little  flock  in 
their  undertaking,  the  Board  of  Church  Extension  has  loaned 
them  $2,000.00  for  five  years  without  interest. 

The  following  were  the  church  officers  at  the  time  of  organiz- 
ing :  Elders,  T-hn  S.  Hope,  Paul  Blessing  and  Fred.  Schulmeister  ; 
Deacons,^'.  '\.  Kurtz,  James  J.  Mentzer  and  William  Mann; 
Trustees,  K    '       I   Strode,  John  Heffner  and  August  Brunninger. 


LXXII.     ST.    MARK'S   CHURCH,    STEELTON,    DAUPHIN 

COUNTY. 

BY    REV.  W.  L.  RUTHERFORD. 

St.  Mark's  Lutheran  Mission,  at  Steelton,  Pa.,  although  quite 
young  in  years,  is  not  without  a  remarkable  and  interesting  his- 
tory. Its  birth  and  nurture  are  traced  back  to  the  untiring  efforts 
and  patient  labor  of  Rev.  E.  Daron.  For  a  number  of  years  Rev. 
Daron  had  been  teaching,  with  great  success,  a  Bible  class  in 
St.  John's  Lutheran  church,  in  the  same  place.  While  actively 
engaged  in  teaching  this  class,  which  was  rapidly  growing  in  in- 
terest and  numbers,  even  to  overflowing,  circumstances  led  to 
his  retirement  from  the  position.  A  few  weeks  later,  a  com- 
mittee waited  on  him,  tendering  a  request  to  organize  a  Union 
Bible  Class.  He  consented  to  do  all  that  he  could,  on  condi- 
tion that  they  should  use  the  International  Lessons  and  submit  to 
his  accustomed  way  of  teaching,  as  previously  conducted  in  the 


302  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

Sunday-school  of  St.  John's  Lutheran  church.  On  the  following 
Sunday,  a  Union  Bible  Class,  thirty-one  in  number,  was  organ- 
ized, which  on  the  second  Sunday  had  an  enrollment  of  sixty  two 
members. 

For  about  six  months  Rev.  Daron  taught  this  class  in  the 
Red  Men's  Hall,  South  Front  street.  The  class  then  met  for 
about  one  year  in  the  Public  Reading  Room,  No.  144  North 
Front  street.  During  this  time  Rev.  Daron  faithfully  taught  the 
same  doctrine  and  precepts  as  previously  taught  in  his  ministry 
and  Bible  teaching.  In  this  class  were  men  and  women  who  had 
not  attended  divine  services  for  many  years.  The  exercises  were 
always  opened  and  closed  with  singing  and  prayer.  While  this 
teaching  was  conducted,  the  plan  of  salvation  was  clearly  set  forth 
in  all  its  simplicity,  and  the  great  value  and  importance  of  the 
sacraments — Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper — were  fully  ex- 
plained. The  necessity  of  church  membership,  and  the  great  im- 
portance of  Christian  activity,  were  also  taught.  After  a  number 
of  conversions,  a  desire  was  awakened  among  the  members  of  the 
class  to  organize  a  new  congregation.  A  committee  was  accord- 
ingly appointed  to  call  some  minister  to  preach  the  gospel.  But 
at  this  juncture  all  efforts  and  plans  were  frustrated  by  circum- 
stances beyond  control,  which  often  cast  shadows  of  gloom  and 
doubt  on  the  younger  members. 

Early  in  January,  1891,  Rev.  M.  G.  Earhart  received  an  invita- 
tion to  preach  to  the  class  in  the  public  reading-room.  After 
kindly  responding,  and  holding  service  twice  on  Sunday,  January 
11,  1 89 1,  he  was  urged  to  return  on  the  following  Sabbath.  After 
a  consultation  with  the  President  of  Synod,  two  services  were  held 
on  the  Sabbath  following,  January  18.  It  was  then  proposed  that 
Rev.  Earhart  preach  regularly,  with  a  view  of  organizing  a  new 
congregation  in  the  near  future.  The  attendance  and  interest 
manifested  by  the  people  seemed  to  justify  this  move. 

On  March  8,  after  an  appropriate  discourse  by  Rev.  M.  L. 
Deitzler,  the  new  organization  was  effected  by  installing  a  church 
council,  and  receiving  thirty-eight  of  the  Bible  Class  and  fourteen 
by  certificate  as  members  of  the  organization,  under  the  name 
of  St.  Mark's  Lutheran  Church,  of  Steelton,  Pa. 

Rev.  Earhart  served  this  devoted    flock    faithfully    until    De- 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  303 

cember  30,    1891,  when  he  passed  peacefully  away  to  his  eter- 
nal rest. 

On  February  21,  1892,  W.  L.  Rutherford,  then  a  student  in  the 
Theological  Seminary  at  Gettysburg,  received  a  call  to  serve 
these  people.  In  a  few  weeks  the  call  was  accepted,  and  on  the 
first  of  June  following,  he  assumed  full  charge  of  the  duties  in- 
cumbent upon  his  sacred  office. 

On  June  1,  1892,  when  the  newly-elected  pastor  took  charge 
of  this  mission  entrusted  to  his  care,  he  found  an  enrollment  of 
fifty-four  communicant  members.  With  two  losses  since  then, 
one  by  death  and  another  by  removal,  and  with  sixteen  acces- 
sions, the  mission  has  attained  a  membership  of  sixty-eight  com- 
municants. The  growth  cannot  be  rapid  under  the  existing 
circumstances.  Compelled  to  worship  in  the  Grand  Army  Hall, 
on  a  third  floor,  under  a  tin  roof,  some  idea  may  be  formed  of 
the  inconveniences  incurred.  With  all  the  difficulties  and  ob- 
stacles, however,  with  which  we  have  to  contend,  the  general  in- 
terest is  maintained,  with  a  reasonable  degree  of  progress  in 
every  line  of  work.  The  Sunday-school  is  growing,  and  has  at 
present  a  roll  of  171. 

The  Young  People's  Christian  Endeavor  Society,  recently  or- 
ganized, is  active  and  doing  a  good  work.  The  women  of  the 
congregation  have  organized  and  are  working  in  various  ways  for 
the  mission  under  the  name  of  "  The  Ladies'  Benevolent  Society." 

The  salary  paid  by  our  congregation  is  $300.00  per  year. 
$200.00  being  given  by  the  Board  of  Home  Missions,  making  in 
all  $500.00. 

Comparatively  few  church  papers  are  taken,  but  this  part  of 
the  work  is  improving  and  will  no  doubt  be  satisfactory  in  the 
near  future. 

The  progress  of  our  organization  has  been  very  much  impeded 
by  the  want  of  a  proper  place  of  worship.  We  are  yet,  owing  to 
adverse  circumstances,  without  a  church  home,  but  we  have 
utmost  confidence  in  the  future.  It  would  be  exceedingly  diffi 
cult  for  us  at  present  to  secure,  even  at  an  exorbitant  price,  a  lot 
suitable  for  our  location.  This  disheartening  fact  has  become 
generally  known,  but  we  are  earnestly  and  zealously  working, 
knowing  that  duty  is  ours  and  results  are  God's. 


304  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

LXXIII.     CHRIST'S    CHURCH,    BRIDGETON,    CUMBER- 
LAND COUNTY,  N.  J. 

BY  REV.  J.  EUGENE  DIETTERICH. 

Bridgeton,  N.  J.,  has  a  population  of  about  twelve  thousand. 
Until  recently  there  was  but  one  Lutheran  church  in  the  city,  and 
that  was  German.  But  there  were  not  many  Germans  in  Bridge- 
ton,  and  the  young  people  were  growing  up  in  the  use  of  the 
English  language  and  desired  English  preaching,  which  was  de- 
nied them  in  their  own  church.  Hence  they  lost  interest  and 
many  withdrew  to  other  churches  or  neglected  all  church  duties. 
Then,  too,  quite  a  good  many  English  Lutherans  were  continu- 
ally moving  to  Bridgeton  from  other  places,  and  especially  from 
Friesburg,  ten  miles  distant. 

These  conditions  suggested  the  idea  of  planting  a  new  English 
Lutheran  congregation  in  the  city.  Arrangements  were  made  to 
have  Rev.  J.  Eugene  Dietterich,  pastor  at  Friesburg,  preach  in 
the  hall  of  the  Cohansey  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  near  the  court  house, 
on  February  1,  1891.  The  service  was  held  at  4  o'clock  p.  m., 
and  about  one  hundred  persons  were  present.  The  Odd  Fellows 
kindly  allowed  the  free  use  of  the  hall  until  a  permanent  place  of 
worship  could  be  secured.  Grosscup's  Hall,  in  the  centre  of  the 
city,  was  then  sub-leased  from  the  W.  C.  T.  U.  for  ten  dollars  per 
month,  and  the  first  sermon  was  preached  there  on  February  22, 
1 89 1.  Mr.  J.  N.  Spence  and  Mr.  Geo.  Miller  assisted  in  a  can- 
vass of  the  city,  and  on  Palm  Sunday,  March  22,  1891,  in  the 
evening,  in  Grosscup's  Hall,  the  new  congregation  was  regularly 
organized  by  Rev.  J.  Eugene  Dietterich,  with  the  following  mem- 
bers :  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  G.  Bauer,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  F.  W.  C. 
Meyers,  Miss  Linnie  Meyers,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  N.  Spence,  John 
D.  Fisher,  Wm.  A.  Bauer,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chas.  Lutz,  Mrs.  Kate 
Maier,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  D.  E.  Christopher,  Mrs.  Mary  Maier,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Edward  Sparks,  Miss  Minnie  L.  Miller,  Miss  Emma 
Bauer,  Chas.  W.  Richards,  Miss  Susie  Cramer. 

A  constitution  was  adopted,  and  the  following  council  elected  : 
Elders,  John  G.  Bauer  and  F.  W.  C.  Meyers;  Deacons,  J.  N. 
Spence,  John  D.  Fisher,  Wm.  A.  Bauer  and  Chas.  W.  Richards. 

The  first  communion  was  held  the  following  (Easter)  Sunday, 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  305 

at  which  time  Miss  Alice  Maier,  Mrs.  Henry  Seibert,  George 
Maier,  Jr.,  and  Geo.  W.  Finlaw  were  admitted  to  membership  by 
confirmation. 

Rev.  J.  Eugene  Dietterich,  pastor  of  the  Friesburg  church, 
was  asked  to  supply  the  new  congregation  with  preaching  until  a 
regular  pastor  could  be  secured.  He  consented  to  do  so,  and 
until  October  i  preached  every  Sunday  in  the  morning  and  even- 
ing at  Friesburg,  and  in  the  afternoon  at  Bridgeton. 

The  second  communion  was  held  May  24,  1891,  at  which  time 
four  persons  were  confirmed. 

In  June,  1891,  the  Philadelphia  Conference  of  the  Synod  of 
East  Pennsylvania  was  entertained  by  the  new  congregation,  and 
passed  resolutions  endorsing  the  work  and  pledging  assistance. 

Application  was  now  made  to  the  Home  Mission  Board  of  the 
General  Synod  for  help,  and  that  Board  made  an  appropriation 
toward  the  support  of  a  pastor  and  commissioned  Rev.  J.  Eugene 
Dietterich  as  missionary,  the  commission  bearing  date  October 
1,  1 89 1.  The  congregation  unanimously  accepted  this  arrange- 
ment. Rev.  Dietterich  resigned  his  charge  at  Friesburg  and 
moved  with  his  family  to  Bridgeton. 

Mr.  Wm.  A.  Bauer  was  sent  as  a  commissioner  to  the  meeting 
of  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod  held  at  Middletown,  Pa.,  Septem- 
ber 16-22,  1891,  to  ask  that  the  new  congregation  be  received  as 
an  integral  part  of  that  body.  It  was  so  accepted,  and  Mr.  Bauer 
enrolled  as  delegate. 

Because  of  the  interest  shown  by  Rev.  G.  W.  Enders,  D.  D.,  a 
former  pastor  of  the  German  Lutheran  church  of  Bridgeton,  and 
because  of  the  assistance  which  he  and  his  congregation  gave  to 
the  new  organization,  the  congregation  voted  that  he  should  select 
the  name  by  which  it  should  be  known,  and  he  named  it  "Christ's," 
in  honor  of  the  congregation  which  he  is  serving  in  York,  Pa. 

The  next  communion  was  held  January  3,  1892,  at  which  time 
eight  persons  were  admitted  to  membership,  and  since  that  time 
six  others  have  been  added. 

The  winter's  work  was  greatly  hindered  by  the  uncomfortable 
and  uninviting  condition  of  the  hall,  and  it  was  found  to  be  ab- 
solutely necessary  that  a  church  be  built  as  soon  as  possible.  At 
an  Orphans'  Court  sale  on  April  29,   1892,  a  lot  was  bought  on 


306  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

Bank  street,  near  Commerce  street,  a  very  favorable  location. 
The  price  paid  was  $1600.00.  A  successful  effort  was  now  made 
to  secure  the  money  to  pay  for  the  lot,  and  application  was  made 
to  the  Church  Extension  Board  for  help  to  build  the  church. 
The  Board  in  reply  made  a  proposition,  which  the  congregation 
ventured  to  accept,  and  a  plan  was  at  once  adopted  for  the  new- 
building,  bids  called  for,  and  the  contract  placed. 

The  corner-stone  was  laid  on  Sunday  afternoon,  October  9, 

1892.  Rev.  S.  G.  Shannon,  of  Philadelphia,  preached  the  ser- 
mon, and  was  assisted  in  the  exercises  by  Rev.  S.  J.  McDowell 
and  Rev.  H.  Lisse,  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  by  some  of  the 
pastors  of  other  congregations  in  the  city.  At  this  service  over 
five  hundred  dollars  were  secured  in  cash  and  subscriptions. 

The  work  has  been  pushed  rapidly,  and  the  new  church  will  be 
dedicated  about  January  15,  1893.  The  building  is  of  frame,  with 
slate  roof,  is  Gothic  in  style,  will  cost  five  thousand  dollars,  and 
will  seat  three  hundred  and  fifty  persons.  Quite  a  number  of 
people  have  signified  their  intention  to  become  members  of  the 
congregation  as  soon  as  it  worships  in  the  new  church.  There  is 
a  Young  People's  Society  connected  with  the  congregation,  hav- 
ing over  fifty  members. 

The  outlook  for  the  development  and  growth  of  the  congrega- 
tion is  excellent.  The  church  will  probably  be  dedicated  free  of 
debt,  with  the  exception  of  the  amount  borrowed  from  the  Church 
Extension  Board,  and  it  is  hoped  and  expected  by  pastor  and 
people  to  make  the  congregation  self-sustaining  by  October  1, 

1893,  when  it  will  have  been  on  the  funds  of  the  Board  just  two 
years. 


LXXIV.     HARRISBURG  AND  STEELTON  CHARGE- 
TRINITY  AND  ST.  PAUL'S. 

BY  REV.  M.  L.  DEITZLER.' 

On  November  11,  1888,  Rev.  D.  M.  Gilbert,  D.  D.,  pastor  of 
Zion  Lutheran  church  of  Harrisburg,  with  a  few  of  his  workers, 
organized  a  mission  Sabbath-school  at  1038  South  Ninth  street, 
with  Jos.  F.  Young  as  superintendent.     The  school  grew  rapidly. 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  307 

Within  two  years  three  necessary  additions  were  made  to  the  resi- 
dence in  which  the  school  was  held.  The  average  attendance  for 
the  first  year  was  105,  for  the  second  205,  and  for  the  third  218. 
The  Board  of  Home  Missions  appointed  Rev.  M.  L.  Deitzler, 
July  1,  1890,  to  take  charge  of  this  work  as  pastor,  in  connection 
with  St.  Paul's  mission  school  at  Steelton.  On  May  17,  1891, 
seven  members  from  Zion's  congregation,  with  thirty-nine  others, 
nearly  all  non-church-members,  were  regularly  organized  into 
a  congregation.  At  the  end  of  the  first  year  the  congregation 
numbered  seventy,  reducing  the  appropriation  of  the  Board  of 
Home  Missions  for  pastor's  salary  from  $300.00  to  $200.00. 

Trinity  congregation  was  regularly  admitted  to  the  East  Penn- 
sylvania Synod  at  its  annual  meeting  in  Middletown,  September, 
1891. 

The  congregation  was  chartered  September,  1892,  and  wor- 
ships in  the  ch'apel  where  the  work  was  begun.  A  lot  of  ground, 
60x100  feet,  with  the  chapel,  is  the  generous  gift  of  Mr.  Joseph  F. 
Young  and  wife  to  the  congregation.  The  mission  is  now,  and 
has  been  from  the  beginning,  generously  supported  by  Zion  Luth- 
eran congregation. 

2.  St.  Paul's  Church,  East  Steelton,  Pa. 

On  January  1,  1890,  Rev.  M.  P.  Hocker,  pastor  of  St.  John's 
Lutheran  church,  with  others  of  his  congregation,  organized  a 
mission  Sabbath-school  in  a  private  residence  in  East  Steelton, 
which  promised  then,  and  has  since  proved,  to  be  a  true  and 
hopeful  home  mission  field. 

November  30,  1890,  was  dedicated  a  neat  and  commodious 
chapel,  erected  by  St.  John's  congregation  for  the  work,  at  a  cost 
of  about  $2,000.00. 

Rev.  M.  L.  Deitzler  was  appointed  by  the  Board  of  Home 
Missions,  July  1,  1890,  to  take  charge  of  this  work  as  pastor,  in 
connection  with  Trinity  Mission,  Harrisburg,  Pa. 

May  17,  1 89 1,  a  church  organization  was  effected,  with  eleven 
members,  nearly  all  from  St.  John's  congregation.  St.  Paul's 
congregation  was  regularly  admitted  to  the  East  Pennsylvania 
Synod  at  its  annual  session  held  at  Middletown,  September,  1891 


308  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

uniting  with  Trinity  Lutheran  congregation  of  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  to 
form  the  Harrisburg  and  Steelton  Mission.  The  congregation 
numbers  at  present  fifteen,  while  the  school  has  grown  from 
twenty  to  an  average  attendance  of  eighty. 

Substantial  building  improvements,  constantly  and  rapidly 
made  on  the  territory  of  this  mission,  present  a  hopeful  prospect 
for  the  congregation  in  the  near  future. 


LXXV.     AUGSBURG  CHURCH,  HARRISBURG. 

BY  REV.  D.  H.  GEISER. 

Augsburg  Lutheran  Church,  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  had  its  origin  in  a 
mission  Sunday-school  planted  in  West  Harrisburg  by  zealous 
members  of  Messiah  Lutheran  church  (Forster  street)  in  June, 
1890,  with  W.  L.  Gardner  as  superintendent.  In  less  than  two 
years  the  school  enrolled  455  pupils,  officers  and  teachers.  Its 
sessions  were  held  in  Kelker  Street  Hall.  The  demand  for  a  new 
Lutheran  church  in  this  part  of  the  city  was  irresistible.  Accord- 
ingly the  Augsburg  congregation  was  organized  January  10,  1892, 
with  98  members,  92  of  whom  were  dismissed  for  that  purpose 
from  Messiah  Lutheran  church,  with  cordial  good  wishes.  Those 
prominently  interested  in  the  new  organization  had  already, 
through  Mr.  W.  W.  Davidson,  secured  from  a  generous  lady  the 
spacious  lot  on  the  corner  ol  Fifth  and  Muench  streets  for 
$8,500.00. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  new  church-building  on  this  lot  was 
laid  June  19,  1892.  The  first  pastor,  Rev.  Dixon  H.  Geiser,  was 
called  from  the  seminary  at  Gettysburg,  and  took  charge  July  1, 
1892.  The  church  was  dedicated  November  20,  1892.  The 
building  is  of  frame,  90  by  45  feet,  and  with  furniture,  gas  fixtures, 
steam  heat,  fencing,  etc.,  cost  $6,600.00.  It  occupies  nearly  the 
central  portion  of  the  ground,  leaving  a  large  space  on  either  side 
for  further  use.  The  congregation  was  self-sustaining  in  every 
respect  from  the  beginning.  Its  present  membership  is  one  hun- 
dred and  forty-nine. 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  3O9 

LXXVI.     EBENEZER  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN 
CHURCH,  BERBICE,  BRITISH- GUIANA,  S.  A.* 

BY  REV.  J.  R.  MITTELHOLZER. 

Mission  work  in  the  past  two  centuries  has  received  its  im- 
pulse largely  from  colonization.  The  Lord  has  stirred  up  in  the 
minds  of  mankind  enterprises  of  this  character,  by  which  the 
word  of  truth  was  to  be  disseminated,  and  reach  the  most  distant 
parts  of  the  earth.  Early  geographical  discovery  brought  to  light 
lands  and  people  unknown  to  the  apostles  and  their  immediate 

*  Note. — In  response  to  an  earnest  request  from  the  synodical  historian,  the 
pastor  of  our  church  at  New  Amsterdam  has  kindly  furnished  the  following 
brief  autobiographical  details : 

I  am  a  native  of  British  Guiana,  born  in  June,  1840.  My  father,  Jan  Vin- 
cent Mittelholzer,  was  born  in  the  colony,  but  of  German  parentage.  His 
father,  C.  M.  Mittelholzer,  came  to  this  colony  at  an  early  time  from  Switzer- 
land. Both  my  father  and  grandfather  were  planters.  Nor  am  I  aware  of  any 
of  my  elder  male  relatives  ever  having  entered  the  Christian  ministry. 

My  own  choice  of  a  profession,  at  first,  was  that  of  engineering,  which  I 
pursued  with  great  zeal  for  a  time.  I  was  then  a  boy  of  14  years.  My  course, 
however,  was  providentially  diverted.  An  English  missionary,  the  Rev.  H.  B. 
Ingram,  having  seen  a  small  engine  of  wood  constructed  by  me,  took  me  under 
his  personal  care  and  tuition,  with  the  view  of  educating  me  in  the  higher 
mathematics,  so  as  to  fit  me  more  thoroughly  for  a  professional  engineer.  After 
conducting  some  examinations  in  the  mathematics,  the  good  English  minister 
was  taken  away  from  the  colony.  But  I  was  provided  for.  Another  minister, 
the  late  Rev.  John  Dalgliesh  (a  Scotchman)  took  me,  but  he  thought  it  best 
for  me  to  study  literature,  as  well  as  the  sciences,  and  teach  in  the  schools.  I 
now  became  a  teacher  of  the  young,  and  taught  for  many  years,  having  suc- 
cessfully passed  examinations  under  the  Government  Inspector  of  Schools.  It 
was  whilst  so  engaged,  in  connection  with  the  London  Missionary  Society, 
that,  favorable  reports  reaching  the  Directors  of  said  Society,  I  was  by  them 
directed  to  study  classics,  theology,  etc.,  etc.,  in  preparation  for  the  work  of 
the  Christian  ministry.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  at  the  first  my  education  was 
directed  for  specific  objects,  and  by  an  all-wise  Providence  then  became 
blended  into  the  work  of  the  Christian  ministry,  thus  qualifying  me  to  work  in 
a  country  like  this,  where  a  minister  must  be  "  made  all  things  to  all  men,"  that 
he  may  "  by  all  means  save  some." 

Another  incident  which  I  consider  most  providential  in  my  life  is  that  my 
father  and  his  brother  were  both  of  them  "  postholders  "  (high  military  offi- 
cers) under  the  Dutch  colonial  government,  having  command  of  the  Indian 
militia,  etc.     Thus  becoming  at  an   early  age  acquainted  with  the  ways  of 


310  EAST!'    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

successors.  The  discovery  of  America  by  Christopher  Columbus 
incited  the  European  nations  to  move  westward  and  southward  in 
quest  of  new  fields  of  industry.  As  the  Christians  traveled  to 
these  newly-discovered  regions,  they  carried  with  them  the 
banner  of  the  Cross,  and,  planting  it  on  heathen  soil,  signalized 
to  the  great  foe  of  mankind  that  the  holy  war  had  reached  thus 
far. 

South  America  as  well  as  North  America  has  seen  Jehovah's 
banner  unfurled,  and  the  bold  armies  of  the  prince  of  darkness 
gradually  retiring  before  the  advancing  arms  of  Jesus  of  Naza- 
reth ;  and,  if  not  entirely,  yet  to  some  extent  evil  is  mitigated  and 
many  souls  are  saved. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  sixteenth  century,  Guiana  was  visited 
by  the  Europeans.  Foremost  among  them  were  the  Spaniards. 
"Pope  Alexander  the  Sixth,  the  illustrious  'Borgia,'  had,  on 
May  2,  1493,  issued  a  bull  granting  to  King  Ferdinand  of 
Spain  possession  of  all  lands  which  had  been  then,  or  might  be 
thereafter,  discovered  to  the  west  of  the  ideal  line  drawn  from  the 
North  to  the  South  Pole,  starting  a  hundred  leagues  west  of  the 
Azores — discoveries  west  of  this  line  to  be  held  as  belonging  to 
Spain,  and  those  in  the  opposite  direction  to  Portugal. 

"  The  explanation  of  the  issue  of  such  an  edict  from  Rome  is 
to  be  found  in  the  circumstance,  recorded  by  Washington  Irv- 
ing, that  '  During  the  crusades,  a  doctrine  had  been  established 
among  the  Christian  princes,  according  to  which  the  Pope,  from 
his  supreme  authority  over  all  temporal  things  as  Christ's  Vicar 
on  earth,  was  considered  as  empowered  to  dispose  of  all  heathen 
lands  to  such  Christian  potentates  as  would  undertake  to  reduce 

the  Indians,  and  aided  by  the  influence  which  my  father  and  uncle  wielded 
over  them,  I  have  been  enabled  after  the  lapse  of  so  many  years  to  do  suc- 
cessful missionary  work  among  these  people.     Truly 

"  God  moves  in  a  mysterious  way 
His  wonders  to  perform." 

I  have  worked  hard,  and  am  still  working  hard  every  day,  to  recover  for  our 
Church  the  ground  which  had  been  lost.  May  the  Lord  spare  me  to  see  Luth- 
eranism  take  a  firm  hold  of  the  country,  all  the  obloquy  which  our  adversaries 
had  heaped  upon  us  completely  wiped  off,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  fully  re- 
stored in  his  Zion  here  and  in  the  colony  of  British  Guiana. —  f.  R.  M. 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  3  I  I 

them  to  the  dominion  of  the  Church,  and  to  introduce  into  them 
the  light  of  religion.'  " — Rodway  6°  Watfs  Annals  of  Guiana. 

According  to  the  same  authority  quoted  above,  Alonzo  de 
Ojeda,  who  "  sailed  from  Port  S.  Mary,  May  20,  1499,"  was  the 
first  who  reached  the  north-east  coast  of  South  America,  some- 
where about  Surinam  (Dutch  Guiana),  and  sailed  along  the  coast 
up  to  the  Orinoco  and  thence  to  the  Island  of  Trinidad.  But  the 
great  bell,  whose  stirring  tone  really  inspired  European  nations  to 
make  exploration  voyages  to  Guiana  and  trade  along  the  coasts, 
was  the  gilded  story  told  by  dying  Juan  Martinez  of  his  journey 
inland,  in  which  he  was  conducted  by  Guianians  (who  had 
rescued  him  from  perishing  in  the  river  Orinoco)  into  the  famous 
city,  "the  houses  of  which  were  covered  with  shining  gold, 
stretching  as  far  as  his  eyes  could  reach.  The  place  was  situ- 
ated on  a  great  lake  or  inland  sea,  called  Parima,  the  sands  of 
which  were  golden  ;  from  which  circumstance,  together  with  the 
abundance  of  precious  metal  he  saw  in  and  on  the  dwellings  of 
the  people,  he  named  it  '  El  Dorado.'  " 

Whether  this  visionary  city  was  a  mirage  or  the  invention  of 
Martinez,  his  story  got  abroad  into  the  northern  countries,  and 
the  result  was  the  outfitting  of  a  number  of  expeditions  in  search 
of  this  El  Dorado.  Guiana  became  an  attractive  country.  The 
famous  Sir  Walter  Raleigh  also  made  voyages  to  this  region,  in 
hope  of  discovering  a  supposed  remarkable  and  prolific  gold 
mine.  Sir  Walter  really  believed  in  the  gold-fields  of  Guiana. 
Nor  was  his  notion  chimerical.  Strange  to  say,  nearly  three  cen- 
turies after  Sir  Walter  Raleigh's  first  expedition  to  this  land, 
gold  is  now  turning  up  somewhat  plentifully  in  Guiana,  both 
Dutch  and  British ;  and  in  the  latter  colony  there  is  a  river  known 
as  the  "  Barima  "  (no  doubt  the  '  Parima'  of  Martinez).  If  the 
city  El  Dorado  do  not  turn  up,  it  is  evidently  showing  its  golden 
sands.  But  alas  for  the  thousands  who  are  fast  becoming  buried 
in  that  "sordid  dust !"  Our  gold  fields  are  crowded  with  peo- 
ple from  the  cities  and  villages.  Again  and  again  the  sad  tid- 
ings are  announced  in  our  papers  of  the  upsetting  of  boat-loads 
of  human  freight,  and  thus  precious  souls  in  quest  of  "  gold  that 
perisheth  " — souls  who  for  gold  have  long  neglected  divine  wor- 
ship— are  being  hurried  into  eternity  to  meet  their  God.     But 


312  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

what  is  still  more  sad,  is  the  fact  that  there  is  so  much  demoraliz- 
ing influence  amongst  the  gold-diggers. 

Guiana,  however,  did  not  become  a  real  colony,  it  appears,  be- 
fore the  year  1624. 

"By  a  Grant  of  the  States  General  in  1602  the  Merchants  of 
Zeeland,  Van  Peere,  Van  Rhee,  De  Moor,  Lampsius,  De  Vries 
and  Van  Hoorn  were  allowed  freedom  of  convoy  to  their  ves- 
sels which  were  trading  to  Guiana  and  the  West  Indies." 

The  first  man  who  is  said  to  have  taken  firm  footing  on  Guiana 
soil  was  Captain  Gromweagle  in  16 16.  He  died  in  1664,  "  having 
governed  the  country  for  48  years."  The  settlement  of  Berbice, 
however,  was  under  Abraham  Van  Peere,  the  son  of  Jan  Van 
Peere,  in  1627. 

Guiana  occasionally  changed  hands,  sometimes  taken  by  the 
English,  the  French,  and  again  restored  to  the  Dutch.  It  was  in 
1 803  that  the  English  took  final  possession  of  the  entire  colony. 

Guiana  is  divided  into  British,  Dutch  and  French.  British 
Guiana  consisted  of  three  colonies,  Berbice,  Demerara  and  Esse- 
quibo.  These  were  united  into  one  colony  in  1831.  Now  it  is 
entitled  the  Counties  of  Berbice,  Demerara  and  Essequibo. 

FOUNDING  OF  THE  LUTHERAN  CHURCH. 

"  It  being  ascertained  in  the  year  1  743  that  there  were  then 
residing  in  the  colony  a  number  of  individuals  professing  the  un- 
altered Augsburg  Confession  of  Faith,  it  began  to  be  considered 
by  them  that,  although  they  lived  in  peace  and  harmony  with 
each  other,  they  nevertheless  were  like  so  many  scattered  sheep 
without  a  shepherd." 

The  colony,  now  British  Guiana,  was  at  that  time  under  the 
Netherlandic  government,  and  the  colonists  were  Dutch  as  well 
as  German.  The  established  church  in  those  early  days  was  the 
"  Dutch  Reformed." 

These  Lutherans  felt  it  desirable  to  make  application  to  "  their 
High  Mightinesses,  the  States  General  of  the  Netherlands,"  for 
permission  to  exercise  religion  after  the  Augsburg  Confession. 
They  were  encouraged  in  their  good  desire  by  the  fact  that  in 
that  same  year  the  Lutherans  in  Surinam  (Dutch  Guiana,  S.  A.) 
had  succeeded  in  obtaining  from  the  Netherlands  a  similar  privi- 
lege. 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 


313 


The  most  energetic  spirit  in  this  Lutheran  movement  was  Mr. 
Ludewyk  Abbensetts  "who,  from  his  unremitting  exertions  and 
persevering  zeal  in  the  cause,  may  with  strict  justice  be  looked 
upon  as  the  founder  of  the  Lutheran  congregation  in  Berbice." 
This  gentleman  called  a  meeting  of  his  co-religionists  for  the 
purpose  of  considering  and  adopting  measures  that  might  be 
deemed  most  conducive  to  the  attainment  of  their  object.  This 
meeting  was  convened  at  his  own  house  on  October  15,  1743, 
when  it  was  resolved,  "that  petitions  should  be  forwarded  to  the 
Honorable  the  Court  of  Policy  (the  colonial  legislature),  and  to 
the  Most  Honourable  the  Directors  of  the  Colony,  and  their  High 


EBENEZER    EVANGELICAL    LUTHERAN    CHURCH,   BERBICE,    BRITISH-GUIANA,  S.  A. 

Mightinesses  the  States  General  of  the  Netherlands,  praying  for 
the  privilege  of  the  free  exercise  of  their  religion  ;  and  that  at  the 
same  time  applications  should  be  made  by  letter  to  the  Reverend 
Consistory,  of  Amsterdam,  soliciting  their  aid  and  co-operation  in 
this  urgent  matter,  and  also  their  good  services  in  procuring  a 
clergyman  for  the  community." 

Respecting  the  last  request,  the  Consistory  advised  that  the  ap- 
pointment of  a  clergyman  should  be  deferred  until  the  Berbice 
brethren  had  secured  sufficient  funds  and  property  for  the 
support  and  maintenance  of  their  establishment.  This  was,  be- 
yond all  doubt,  a  wholesome  advice,  as  matters  afterwards  amply 
proved.     Meanwhile,  however,  "the  Hon'bles,  the   Directors  of 


3M  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

the  Colony."  were  pleased  to  grant  their  application  under  the 
proviso — "that  the  clergyman  to  be  chosen  and  engaged  by  them 
should,  previous  to  his  departure  to  the  Colony,  be  presented  to 
them  (the  Directors)  for  their  approbation  and  confirmation  ; 
that  the  expenses  of  the  salary  of  said  minister,  and  also  of  the 
church  or  building  to  be  erected  or  used  for  the  purpose  of 
divine  worship,  should  be  defrayed  by  the  members  of  the  con- 
gregation themselves,  and  not  at  the  charge  of  the  Directors  ;  that 
they  should,  moreover,  contribute  to  the  ordinary  church  (the 
Dutch-Reformed)  fund  equally  and  in  the  same  proportion  as  all 
other  inhabitants."  The  collecting  of  these  rates  was  urged 
rigorously  upon  the  Lutherans  in  the  year  1790,  when  "the 
Colonial  Receiver-Ceneral  was  instructed  to  proceed  summarily 
against  them  for  arrears  of  acre-money." 

Notwithstanding  these  hard  stipulations,  the  Lutherans  were 
only  too  much  rejoiced  at  the  permission  to  exercise  their  re- 
ligion. Their  next  business  was  to  raise  the  necessary  funds  for 
the  support  of  their  church  establishment.  Having  obtained  per- 
mission of  His  Excellency,  the  then  Governor  of  the  Colony,  to 
convene  a  regular  financial  meeting  of  their  body,  it  was  agreed 
upon  amongst  them  that  each  individual  should  contribute  a  sum 
of  money  at  once  or  annually  towards  what  was  required.  This 
resolution  was  so  energetically  carried  out  that  eight  years  after- 
wards their  favorable  report  to  the  Consistory  in  Amsterdam  pro- 
cured the  services  of  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Taerkenius.  Their  first 
pastor  arrived  in  the  colony  in  October,  1752. 

One  difficulty  was  now  settled.  The  next  immediately  pre- 
sented itself.  So  connected  are  the  several  events  of  human  life. 
In  this  case  there  was  the  lamb,  there  was  the  priest,  but  where 
was  the  altar  on  which  to  celebrate  the  service  ?  Funds  were  at 
hand  to  meet  the  minister's  salary,  the  minister  was  now  amongst 
the  flock,  but  where  was  the  church?  They  wanted  to  build 
one,  but  where  were  the  means  ?  In  vain  did  they  apply  to  the 
local  authorities  for  assistance  in  this  urgent  matter.  The  Lu- 
theran community  was,  once  for  all,  fully  convinced  that  the 
colonial  authorities  were  determined  not  to  countenance  Luth- 
eranism  in  the  colony  if  they  could  help  it ;  hence,  if  the  former 
were  to  succeed,  they  must  depend  instrumentally  on  their  own 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  315 

hands,  with  the  help  of  God.  Rut  ever,  as  the  emergency  de- 
mands in  all  great  and  good  movements,  the  proper  man  for  its 
promotion  appears.  In  this  trying  situation  one  of  the  members 
of  their  body,  Mr.  John  Reynhout  Reymers,  willingly  offered  his 
spacious  mansion  for  the  performance  of  divine  service. 

Notwithstanding  all  the  discouragement  they  had  received  at 
the  hands  of  the  local  authorities,  the  members  of  the  Lutheran 
church  beautifully  exemplified  their  Lord's  injunction — "  Rless 
them  that  curse  you  ;  do  good  to  them  that  despitefully  use  you 
and  persecute  you."  Having  succeeded  in  building  a  church  with 
their  own  funds  at  Fort  Nassau,  then  the  capital  of  the  colony 
of  Berbice,  situated  about  seventy  miles  up  the  river  and  about 
the  same  distance  from  the  present  town,  "  they  cheerfully  allowed 
the  use  of  their  church  to  their  brethren  and  fellow-Christians  of 
the  Reformed  or  established  church,  who  had  but  one  place  of 
worship,  situated  at  some  distance  from  the  town  and  higher  up 
the  river."  So,  also,  when  in  1763  the  great  slave  rebellion 
threatened  the  colony  with  total  ruin — for  the  infuriated  slaves  in 
their  mad  career  burnt  all  the  houses  in  the  Fort  and  left  stand- 
ing only  the  Lutheran  church  and  the  buildings  connected  with 
it — the  Lutherans  permitted  their  parsonage  to  be  occupied  as  a 
temporary  residence  of  the  Governor,  and  the  out-buildings  as 
hospitals  for  the  sick  and  wounded.  For  eleven  years'  use  of 
their  buildings  the  only  mitigation  of  hard  feelings  against  the 
Lutherans  was  that  the  government  did  not  press  them  so  much 
for  arrears  of  acre-money. 

Prior  to  the  appointment  of  a  minister,  the  Lutheran  com- 
munity had  planned  a  fairly  well  organized  body  of  administrators 
for  the  care  of  the  church  properties  in  course  of  acquisition,  as 
well  as  for  general  management  of  the  affairs,  correspondences 
with  the  authorities  in  Furope,  etc.  The  six  persons,  under  the 
designation  of"  Directors,"  were  Messrs.  Schiermerster,  Dietzhold, 
Speelmain,  Abbensetts  (the  founder),  Meyners  and  Rertomis. 
On  the  arrival  of  the  first  minister,  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Taerkenius,  at 
a  meeting  held  October  25,  1752,  and  at  the  motion  of  the 
minister,  the 


316  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

FIRST    ECCLESIASTICAL   VESTRY 

was  formed.  The  minister  proposed  to  re-elect  the  six  directors 
with  the  addition  of  "  four  elders  and  two  deacons  out  of  com- 
petent members  well  known  to  the  directors,"  so  that  they  may 
be  in  accord  with  the  church  ordinance.  Of  these  first  elders 
elected  only  one  name  is  given,  viz.  :  "J.  L.  Van  Stoken,  etc., 
etc.,  etc." 

The  vestry  was  elected  for  two  years  ;  the  election  took  place 
in  December,  and  the  installation  on  New  Year's  day.  It  ap- 
pears that  the  community  appointed  one  of  these  vestrymen  as 
treasurer  and  book-keeper  for  one  year,  at  the  end  of  which 
term  his  accounts  must  be  rendered  to  the  vestry  or  consistory. 
Likewise,  another  member  was  appointed  as  church  warden  or 
inspector  of  the  church  building. 

Like  our  tropical  climate,  with  its  alternations  of  sunshine  and 
shade,  the  Lutheran  community  passed  through  various  vicissi- 
tudes, at  times  very  trying.  Within  the  brief  period  of  twenty- 
seven  years  four  ministers  had  served,  an  average  service  of 
scarcely  seven  years  each.  The  names,  times  of  arrival,  etc.,  are 
as  follows  : 

i.  The  first  minister,  the  Rev.  John  Hendrick  Taerkenius,  ar- 
rived in  the  colony  October,  1752  ;  died  in  the  colony  1754. 

2.  The  Rev.  J.  J.  M.  Groshmer  arrived  in  the  colony  May, 
1 756  ;  died  in  the  colony  March,  1760. 

3.  The  Rev.  S.  F.  Miller  arrived  in  the  colony  October,  1761  ; 
left  the  colony  April,  1763. 

4.  The  Rev.  J.  A.  Glendtkampt  arrived  in  the  colony  May, 
1777  ;  left  the  colony  January,  1779. 

5.  The  Rev. Junius. 

These  clergymen,  appointed  at  the  request  and  guarantee  of 
the  vestry  in  Berbice,  served  up  to  the  year  1840,  when  it  appears, 
failing  to  obtain  any  more  supplies  from  Holland,  the  Berbice 
Lutherans  had  recourse  to  offer  their  pastorate  to  the  Rev.  Alex- 
ander Riach,  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Mr.  Riach  was  sent  to 
Holland  to  study  the  Dutch  language.  At  his  return  to  the  colony 
and  assumption  of  his  duties  as  a  Lutheran,  he  was  to  preach 
alternately  in  the  Dutch  and  in  the  English  language,  it  being  the 
transition  period  from  the  former  to  the  latter.     In  certain  times 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  317 

the  services  were  conducted  in  both  the  Dutch  and  the  German 
languages.  A  great  interval  appears  to  have  elapsed  between  the 
departure  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Glendtkampt  and  the  appointment  of 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Junius.  The  marriage  register  of  Mr.  Junius  con- 
tains records  from  1832  to  1840.  Also  of  Mr.  Riach's  appoint- 
ment I  am  unable  to  give  the  precise  date.  But  about  the  year 
1852  Mr.  Riach  became  personally  known  to  me.  At  this  time 
he  was  in  the  Presbyterian  ministry.  Again  another  great  inter- 
val occurred,  when  the  Lutheran  congregation  was  without  a  min- 
ister for  twenty-five  years,  during  which  period  the  Wesleyans 
were  permitted  to  use  the  Lutheran  church,  manse  and  other 
buildings,  and  were  allowed  by  the  vestry  the  amount  of  ^100 
per  annum  to  assist  their  ministry,  but  this  sum  was  afterwards 
reduced  to  ^50. 

I  shall  revert  to  the  state  of  the  Lutheran  congregation  during 
the  Wesleyan  gratis  tenancy  of  the  church,  etc.,  and  shall  say 
something  about  the  origin  of  the  congregation's 

CONSOLIDATED    FUND. 

About  the  year  1774,  matters  became  very  depressing,  and  the 
Lutherans  were  reduced  to  a  condition  almost  similar  to  that 
experienced  before  1743.  Failing  to  obtain  any  help  from  the 
local  government,  many  of  their  best  supporters  had  become 
poor,  and  some  had  returned  to  the  mother  country.  Matters 
were  wearing  a  sad  aspect.  Indeed,  that  same  year,  "  the  mem- 
bers of  the  vestry  were  obliged  to  bind  their  persons  and  goods  by 
a  formal  deed,  as  a  security  for  the  payment  of  the  minister's 
salary  and  the  fulfilment  of  other  stipulations,"  before  the  con- 
sistory in  Amsterdam  could  be  prevailed  upon  to  engage  and 
send  them  out  a  clergyman. 

A  project  which  had  been  mooted  in  1753  was  now  deliber- 
ately adopted,  viz. :  to  acquire  in  behalf  of  the  Lutheran  com- 
munity, and  put  into  cultivation  of  coffee,  a  piece  of  land,  the 
proceeds  of  which,  "by  the  blessing  of  God,  may  afford  a  more 
certain  and  permanent  source  of  revenue  for  the  support  of  their 
church  and  maintenance  of  a  minister,"  etc.  Messrs.  H.  J.  Buse, 
P.  Schwetzer  and  Nelis  Anderson  (members  of  the  vestry)  were 
in  April  entrusted  with  the  business  of  giving  effect  to  the  resolu- 


318  EASl     PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

tion.  Having  obtained  from  the  Colonial  Government  a  piece  of 
land,  Mr.  Botzen,  an  elder  of  their  church,  undertook  to  lay  out 
the  land  and  put  it  in  cultivation  gratis.  After  the  death  of  this 
right  noble-minded  elder,  Mr.  Heilen  came  forward  and  took  it 
up  on  the  same  disinterested  principle.  As  acre-money  became  a 
very  severe  pressure  indeed,  on  one  occasion,  Mr.  Janch, 
another  of  the  elders,  offered,  together  with  his  brother  vestry 
members,  to  pay  this  money  out  of  their  own  private  means.  It 
was  resolved  to  purchase  the  estate  which  they  had  cultivated,  as 
a  permanent  possession  of  the  church,  and  Mr.  Buse,  having  ex- 
erted his  influence  in  Amsterdam,  obtained  for  the  purchase  from 
Messrs.  J.  A.  Pool  &  Co.  a  sum  of  15,000  guilders  (the  Dutch 
guilder  40  cents  in  American  currency) .  This  effort  was  so  blessed 
that  in  the  course  of  a  few  years  a  very  respectable  revenue  was 
insured.  After  the  resignation  of  the  Rev.  Alexander  Riach,  the 
estate  was  sold,  andthe  proceeds,  toge  ther  with  the  amounts  ob- 
tained from  season  to  season  for  coffee,  were  invested  in  shares 
in  the  British  Guiana  Bank.  There  was  a  time  when  the  divi- 
dends amounted  annually  to  five  thousand  dollars.  But  this  cap- 
ital has  been  from  time  to  time  reduced,  and  to  such  an  extent 
that  the  present  does  not  exceed  two  thousand  five  hundred  dol- 
lars per  annum  (an  amount  sufficient  to  maintain  a  respectable 
ministry).  Of  course,  this  yield  in  the  way  of  dividends  varies 
at  times  as  the  money  market  rises  and  falls. 
During 

THE    WESLEYAN    OCCUPATION    OF   THE    LUTHERAN    CHURCH, 

as  stated  above,  for  the  period  of  twenty-three  years,  the  Luth- 
eran church  had  died  out.  Her  members  were  scattered  amongst 
the  several  denominations  ;  some  united  with  the  Presbyterians, 
others  with  the  Episcopalians,  the  Congregationalists  and  Wes- 
leyans.  When  Lutheran  services  were  re-opened  in  the  fall  of 
1875  the  actual  number  of  Lutherans  was  twelve.  Even  this  in- 
finitesimal remainder  of  the  grand  old  establishment  became  still 
further  reduced,  so  that  although  several  members  were  confirmed 
by  the  Dutch  Lutheran  minister  of  Surinam  (Dutch  Guiana),  at 
my  assumption  of  this  pastorate  there  were  only  eleven  members. 
The  male  portion   was   reduced   to    four.     The    church    regula- 


SKETCHES  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  319 

tions  require  that  there  shall  be  at  least  three  members  to  form  a 
quorum  of  the  vestry,  and  it  appears  that  at  one  time  the  vestry  was 
reduced  to  that  bare  quorum,  so  that  had  a  death  occurred  among 
them — there  being  no  Lutheran  minister  to  confirm  other  members 
— the  vestry  would  have  become  extinct,  and  the  entire  Lutheran 
community  would  have  collapsed.  This  illustrates  the  evil  of  allow- 
ing any  church  to  be  without  a  minister  for  any  lengthened  period, 
an  evil  which  we  trust  this  congregation  will  never  again  experience. 

THE  REVIVAL  OF  LUTHERANISM 

took  place  in  the  year  1875.  In  that  year  an  old  and  long-stand- 
ing administrator  died,  owing  the  church  funds  a  sum  not  inferior 
to  $20,000.00,  of  which  amount  $15,000.00  was  recovered  from  his 
life  policy.  The  vestry,  by  some  extraordinary  charity,  divided 
(of  this  latter  amount)  amongst  the  few  membeis  the  sum  of  $5,- 
000.00.  Great  dissatisfaction  was  created.  Some,  considering 
themselves  unfairly  dealt  with  (although  the  male  members  had 
received  large  amounts  of  gratuity),  made  representations  to  the 
government  that  the  administrators  were  wasting  the  Lutheran 
Church  funds.  At  once  the  government  instituted  a  "  Commission 
of  Inquiry  into  the  Lutheran  Funds."  This  commission  inter- 
dicted any  further  wasting  of  the  old  funds  of  the  church,  and 
ordered  that  "  the  Lutheran  Church  should  be  re-opened,  and  the 
moneys  put  to  the  use  for  which  they  were  originally  intended,  and 
thus  fulfill  the  object  of  the  founders." 

The  vestry  was  thus  compelled  to  accept  one  of  two  alterna- 
tives, either  to  do  as  the  commission  recommended,  or  allow  the 
church  properties  to  be  taken  over  by  the  government,  and  ap- 
propriated to  other  uses  for  the  benefit  of  the  public.  The  vestry 
wisely  chose  the  first  alternative,  and  immediately  invited  Rev. 
John  Sauder,  minister  of  the  Lutheran  Church  in  Surinam,  Dutch 
Guiana,  to  re-institute  Lutheran  services.  Mr.  Sauder  came  over, 
re-opened  the  services,  confirmed  a  few  new  members,  added 
one  more  vestry-man  to  save  the  quorum,  and  advised  the  vestry 
to  endeavor  to  obtain  the  assistance  of  some  local  clergyman  to 
keep  up  the  services  at  extra- canonical  hours,  as  might  be  con- 
venient. The  vestry  then  sought  my  help  at  extra  hours,  to 
continue  the   Lutheran    services.      Meanwhile,   Mr.   Sauder  re- 


320  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

turned  to  Parimaribo  (capital  of  Surinam,  D.  G.).  After  three 
years'  experiment  of  visits  at  distant  intervals  from  Parimaribo, 
the  vestry  passed  a  formal  resolution,  empowering  the  admin- 
istrators to  give  me  the  refusal  of  their  pastorate.  These  admin- 
istrators gave  as  their  reasons  for  calling  on  me  :  first,  that  they 
were  satisfied  with  my  temporary  ministrations  ;  and  secondly, 
that,  from  my  being  directly  descended  from  the  old  German 
colonists,  a  good  connection  between  the  past  and  present  would 
be  realized  in  my  person.  This  selection,  I  was  afterwards  in- 
formed, gave  universal  satisfaction.  This  testimony  was  borne 
by  the  Attorney-General  of  the  colony,  Sir  Wm.  Haynes  Smith, 
now  Governor  of  the  "Windward  Islands." 

Matters  progressed  comfortably  (after  my  confirmation  in  Sur- 
inam as  a  Lutheran)  for  eight  years,  during  which  time  the 
church  prospered  and  increased.  But  in  the  year  1878  broke 
out 

THE    GREAT  PERSECUTION, 

which  culminated  in  our  application  to  and  connection  with  the 
East  Pennsylvania  Synod,  U.  S.  A.  This  marks  a  very  important 
period  in  the  work  of  Lutheranism  in  this  colony,  and  therefore 
is  worthy  of  record. 

The  year  1878  opened  upon  this  Lutheran  Church  under  the 
cloud  of  ecclesiastical  war.  The  financial  meetings  of  the  vestry 
had  been  neglected  for  a  number  of  years,  and  in  vain  had  I  en- 
deavored to  induce  the  administrators  to  convene  a  financial 
meeting  and  lay  before  the  vestry  a  statement  of  the  church's 
monetary  status.  At  first  the  chief  administrator  promised,  but 
deferred.  The  church,  the  manse,  and  other  buildings  were  al- 
lowed to  run  to  thorough  dilapidation  ;  and  I  feared  that,  should 
things  continue  so  much  longer,  the  church  and  manse  would  go 
beyond  recovery.  My  insisting  upon  a  statement  of  the  finances 
being  given  led  to  the  project  of  casting  me  off,  to  consummate 
which  the  administrators,  in  defiance  of  the  vestry  and  general 
members,  demanded,  through  a  lawyer,  my  dismissal.  The  battle 
was  now  fairly  set,  and,  anticipating  what  the  result  for  the  con- 
gregation would  otherwise  be — its  direct  dismemberment — I  de- 
cided to  resist,  and  replied  to  their  document  that  I  did  not  intend 
to  surrender  the  Lutheran  church  unless  it  was  the  wish  of  the 


SKETCHES    OF    CONGREGATIONS.  321 

majority  of  the  members,  and  unless  compensation  were  made  to 
my  satisfaction. 

At  a ''general  meeting"  great  indignation  was  expressed  by 
members  at  the  unwarranted  action  taken  by  the  two  adminis- 
trators. Their  lawyer  was  now  irritated,  and  resorted  to  the 
most  vehement  measures.  The  vestry  had  appealed  to  the  Leg- 
islature to  institute  an  ordinance  for  the  protection  of  the  old 
Lutheran  properties,  which  were  on  the  verge  of  ruin.  The 
vestry  had  also,  by  a  formal  resolution,  interdicted  the  bank  from 
paying  any  more  of  the  church's  money  to  the  recalcitrant  adminis- 
trators, whom  the  election  at  the  general  meeting  had  replaced 
by  other  officers.*  The  prosecuting  lawyer  also  issued  a  counter- 
manding order  to  the  bank.  He  appealed  to  the  Legislature  to 
be  permitted  to  appear  at  its  bar  and  plead  the  cause  of  his 
clients.  I  represented  the  vestry  and  appeared  in  propria  per- 
sona, together  with  our  attorney,  to  resist  the  church's  opponent. 
The  Legislature  decided  for  the  church. 

The  lawyer  next  appealed  to  the  judges  of  the  Supreme  Civil 
Court  for  an  interdict  against  me.  Thus  he  managed  to  cause 
delay,  and  kept  matters  pending  for  three  long  years,  trusting  that 
being  kept  so  long  out  of  my  salary  (for  the  bank  was  advised  to 
pay  the  moneys  to  neither  party  till  the  matter  was  settled  by  the 
judges)  I  would  in  disgust  vacate  the  pulpit.  We  were  thus  be- 
sieged. But  the  Lutheran  church  was  still  vocal,  and  all  her  ser- 
vices were  regularly  conducted,  to  the  utmost  surprise  of  all 
lookers-on.  The  Lord  helped  us.  How  I  managed  to  sustain  a 
large  family  without  a  penny  of  my  salary,  and,  thank  God,  cheer- 
fully discharge  my  solemn  duties,  the  Lord  only  knows.  It  is  now 
to  myself  mysterious  ! 

Just  four  months  before  the  judges  brought  the  case  to  hearing 
and  decision,  the  vestry  had  put  itself  in  communication  with  the 
President  of  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod  for  recognition.  And 
just  a  week  after  the  three  judges  delivered  their  able  and  learned 

*  These  newly  elected  administrators  were  Messrs.  Charles  A.  Hicken  and 
Thomas  Campbell  Douglass.  The  other  members  of  the  vestry  who  stood 
side  by  side  with  their  pastor,  and  brunted  all  this  attack,  were  Messrs. 
Michael  Floris,  James  Samuels,  Christian  Ben  and  Hugh  McDonald,  to  whose 
fidelity  testimony  is  borne  by  this  record. 


,52  2  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

"  Decision  on  the  Lutheran  Matter" — a  decision  worthy  of  record 
in  the  Church's  archives — a  letter  came  from  the  United  States 
announcing  our 

RECOGNITION    BY    THE    EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD, 

which  led  to  the  consummating  event  of  official  connection  with 
the  Synod. 

This  act  was  the  coup  de  grace  to  the  church's  triumph.  This 
connection,  which  was  effected  September  18,  1890,  will  be  ever 
memorable  in  this  church's  history. 

The  church  now  has  several  missions  amongst  the  Aboriginal 
Indians  in  the  interior  amidst  their  forest  homes.  They  are 
known  as  Bethel,  Mt.  Hermon,  Mt.  Carmel,  Bethesda  and  Mt. 
Lebanon. 

The  Lord  bless  the  Synod  which  came  unknowingly  but  timely 
to  the  rescue  of  this  distant  but  not  unimportant  branch  of  the 
great  Lutheran  Church  !  May  our  Zion  flourish  to  the  honor  and 
glory  of  her  divine  Master,  whose  kind  and  ever-watchful  provi- 
dence had  guided  her  from  her  commencement,  protected  her 
amid  crushing  dangers  and  changing  scenes,  and  once  more  re- 
vived and  established  her  !  May  she  ever  prove  a  satisfaction 
and  credit  to  the  venerable  Synod  with  which  she  is  connected. 

And  now,  "unto  the  King  eternal,  immortal,  invisible,  the  only 
wise  God,"  who  delivered  us  from  our  distress  and  gave  us  again 
a  lively  hope  in  his  work,  "be  honor  and  glory  for  ever  and  ever." 
Amen. 


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H 

REGISTER  OF  PASTORS 

Who  have  served  Congregations  now  in  connection  with  the  Evangelical 

.  Lutheran  Synod  of  East  Pennsylvania,  or  those  out  of  which  the 

present   organizations  have  grown,  showing  also  places 

and    dates    of    Pastorates    within    the    hounds    of 

Synod,  as  well  as  dates  of  Honorary  Degrees 

and  names  of  Colleges  by  which  the 

latter  were  conferred. 


Adams,  John  Alexander. 

Williamstown,  1888- date. 
Ahl,  Peter. 

Springfield  and  Xockamixon,  1789-1797. 
Albert,  John  Jacob. 

East  Petersburg,  1 85 3- 185 5. 

Mt.  Zion,  Martin's  Creek,  and  Christ,  Centreville,  1855-1859. 
Albert,  Luther  Endress.     D.  D„  Penna.  College,  1867. 

Trinity,  Germantown,  1851-clate. 

Whitemarsh  (Supply),  1852. 
Alleman,  Benjamin  Franklin.     D.  D.,  Newberry  College,  1885. 

St.  John's,  Lancaster,  1887-date. 

Alleman,  Herbert  Christian. 
Millersville,  1889. 

Ansi'ach,  Frederick  Reinhardt.     D.  D.,  Franklin  and  Marshall  College, 
1857. 

Whitemarsh  and  Barren  Hill,  1841-1850. 
Anspach,   John   Melanchthon.     D.  D.,   Missionary  Institute,  Selinsgrove, 
1890. 

St.  Matthew's,  Reading,  1872-1877. 
Anthony,  Jacob  Bachman. 

Minersville,  1874-1875. 
Schuylkill  Haven,  1 875-1 876. 
Apple,  Benjamin  Franklin. 
May  town,  1 862-1 864. 

(  338  ) 


REGISTER    OF    PASTORS.  339 

AuGHEY,  Samuel.      Ph.  D.,  University  of  Ohio,   1874:    LL.D.,  Wittenberg 
College,  1878. 

Pikelancl  (with  Lionville),  1 858-1 859. 
Lionville,  1 859-1 861. 

AULD,  EZEKIEL  ALEXANDER. 

Minersville,  1860-1864. 
Aurand,  Frederick. 

Fisherville  Charge,  1 872-1 874. 

Millersville  and  Neffsville,  1883-1884. 
Aurand,  Charles  Monroe. 

Maytown,  1884-1885. 

Baetes,  William. 

Friesburg,  i8c8-i8io. 

Brickerville  and  Schaefferstown,  1810-1836. 

Kissel  Hill,  1S24-1839. 

Manheim,  1825-182S  (?). 
Baker,  John  Christopher.     D.  D.,  Lafayette  College,  1837. 

St.  Michael's,  Germantown,  1812-1828. 

Barren  Hill  and  Ardmore,  1812-1828. 

Whitemarsh,  1818-1828. 

Trinity,  Lancaster,  1 828-1 853. 
Barclay,  Joseph  Henry.     D.  D.,  Roanoke  College,  1876. 

Stewartsville,  1 859-1 863. 

St.  Paul's,  Easton,  1868  -1872. 

Mission  Chapel,  College  Hill,  Easton,  1870- 1872. 
Barnitz,  John  Charles. 

Ardmore,  1835- 1840. 

Kissel  Hill,  1 846-1 854. 

Manheim  (Supply),  1869-1870. 
Barnitz,  Frederick  Augustus. 

St.  James',  Ashland,  1862- 1864. 
Baum,  William  Miller.     D.  D.,  Pennsylvania  College,  1867. 

Middletown,  1848-1852. 

Whitemarsh,  185  2- 1854. 

Barren  Hill,  1852-1858. 

St.  Matthew's,  Philadelphia,  1874-date. 
Baum,  William  Miller,  Jr. 

Phcenixville,  1880- 1883. 
Becker,  Daniel  Raischer. 

Palmyra  and  Bellegrove,  i892-date. 
Beckner,  Daniel. 

Mahanoy  City,  1871-1 875. 


340  east  pennsylvania  synod. 

Berkem ever,  Fkki >i nam >. 

Friesburg,  1855-1857. 

Berkinstock,  John  Justus  Jacob. 

St.  John's,  Easton,  1 740-1 748. 

Berlin,  Solomon  Jesse. 
Tremont,  1867. 

BlCKEL,  Henry  Miller.     D.  I).,  Western  Maryland  College,  1892. 
Chalfont,  1874-1875. 
Chalfont,  1889- 1890. 
Lutheran  Observer  Office,  1877-date. 

Bii.lheimer,  Thomas  Charles.     D.  D.,  Pennsylvania  College,  1886. 
St.  Matthew's,  Reading,  1877-date. 

BOBST,  Isaac  Walton. 

Lititz  Charge,  1889-date. 

Boyer,  Simon  Reinhart. 

Kissel  Hill,  1862-1864. 

Braas, . 

Greenwich,  N.  J.,  1777-1781. 

Breidenbaugh,  Edward. 

Jacob's  and  St.  John's,  Pine  Grove,  1849- 1852. 

Breininger,  John  George. 

Fisherville  Charge,  1 867-1 868. 

Bricker,  Jacob  Kissel. 

Fisherville  Charge,  1S77-1879. 

Bridgeman,  Augustus  L. 

Friesburg,  1 852-1854. 
Brown,  James  Allen.     D.  D.,  Pennsylvania  College,  1859;  LL.D.£Wooster 
University,  1879. 

.St.  Matthew's,  Reading,  1849-1859. 
Brown,  George  Gideon  Malachi. 

Minersville  and  Tremont,  1 888-1 889. 

BROWNMII.LER,  El'HRAIM  STEIN. 

Union  Deposit,  1874-1881. 

Brunnholtz,  Peter. 

Philadelphia,  1 745-1 757. 

St.  Michael's,  Germantown,  1 745-1 751. 

Friesburg,  1749-1756  (?). 

Bl'RKHALTER  (BURKE),  ISRAEL  CALVERT. 

Mahanoy  City,  1867-1869. 
Columbia,  1875-1877. 


REGISTER    OF    PASTORS.  34 1 

Burrell,  John  Ilgen. 

Stone  Church,  1860-1875. 

Mt.  Zion,  Martin's  Creek,  i860 -1864. 

Trinity,  Martin's  Creek,  1864-1875. 

Clare,  Richard  Henry. 

Hamilton  Charge,  1 882-1 892. 

Collins,  Benjamin  Brubaker. 
Chalfont,  1877-18S1. 

C'OLSON,  J. 

Hamilton  Charge,  1810-1812. 
Conrad,  Frederick  William.     D.  D.,  Wittenberg  College,  1864;    LL.D., 
Roanoke  College,  1889. 

Messiah,  Philadelphia,  1 866-1 872. 

Editor  Lutheran  Observer,  1862-date. 
Cook,  Herman  Sidney. 

Lionville,  1877-1882. 

Messiah,  Harrisburg,  1 883-1 888. 
Coover,  Melanchthon. 

Ardmore,  1890-date. 
Cornell,  Nathan  Henry. 

Ardmore,  1844- 1848. 

Pikeland,  1 863-1 874. 
Cressman,  Mark  Stetler. 

Lionville,  1888-date. 
Crist,  Jacob  Bishop. 

Maytown,  1852-1855. 
Crist,  Isaiah  Benjamin. 

Mohrsville,  1 883-1 885. 

Hummelstown,  1885-1890. 
Croll,  Alfred  DeLonu. 

Lyons  Charge,  1868-1876. 
Croll,  Philip  Columbus. 

Mohrsville,  1 879-1 882. 

Schuylkill  Haven,  1882- 1892. 

Seventh  Street,  Lebanon,  1892-date. 
Grouse,  Theodore  Luther. 

Christ,  Harrisburg,  i89C-date. 
Crumbauoh,  John  Samuel. 

St.  John's,  Lancaster,  1853-1857. 
Cruse,  Christian  Frederic. 

Friesburg,  1819-1824. 

St.  Matthew's,  Philadelphia,  between  1818  and  1S27. 


342  EAST   PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

Cl'RTIS,  SYLVANDER. 

Friesburg,  1 866-1 868. 

St.  James',  Ashland,  1868-1870. 
Cutter,  William  Isaac. 

Brickerville,   1875-1877. 

Lyons  Charge,  1877-1878. 
Danner,  John  A. 

Union  Deposit  Charge,  1887. 
Daron,  Edward. 

Fisherville  Charge,  1869- 1872. 

Shoop's  Charge,  1S72-1878. 

Sandy  Hollow,  1872-1875. 

St.  John's,  Steelton,  1 875-1 878. 

Lyons  Charge,  1878-1880. 
Dasher,  Solomon. 

Memorial,  Harrisburg,  1872-date, 

Shoop's  Charge,  1881-18S5. 
Davidson,  John  Hampton, 

Fisherville  Charge,  1 860-1862. 
Deitzler,  Jefferson  Mennig. 

St.  Peter's,  Pine  Grove  Charge,  1846-47. 

Schaefferstown  Charge,  including  at  times  Schaefterstown,  Strauss- 
town,  Mt.  Gretna,  Womelsdorf,  Jonestown,  Fredericksburg,  Belle- 
grove,  Mt.  Zion  and  Hill  Churches,  1850-1865. 

Annville,  Hill  and  Bellegrove,  1865-1890. 

Seventh  Street,  Lebanon,  and  Mt.  Zion,  1866-1882. 

Union  Deposit  Charge,  1890-date. 

Deitzler,  Martin  Luther. 

St.  Paul's,  Steelton,  and  Trinity,  Harrisburg,  iSgo-date. 
Delp,  William  Speece. 

Cbalfont,  1 881-1882. 
Demme,  Charles  Rudolph.     D.  D.,  University  of  Pennsylvania,  1832. 

Hummelstown,  1819-1822. 
De  Yoe,  Luther  E.* 

Messiah,  Harrisburg,  1891-date. 
Diehl,  Caspar. 

Hamilton  Charge,  1805-1810. 
Diehl,  George.     D.  D.,  Pennsylvania  College,  1856. 

Christ,  Easton,  1843—185 1. 

Riegelsville,  1 850-1 85 1. 

*  Not  a  true  "  Initial,"  but  merely  a  distinctive  letter  adopted  for  convenience 


register  of  pastors.  343 

Diehl,  Samuel  Sylvester. 

Kintnersville  Charge  (Nockamixon  and  Upper  Tinicum),  1892-date. 

DiETTERiCH,  James  Eugene. 

Friesburg,  1887-1891. 

Bridgeton,  1891-date. 
D 1. mm,  Jonathan  Rose.     D.  D.,  Pennsylvania  College,  1884. 

Barren  Hill,  1867-1871. 

Corresponding  Secretary  Lutheran  Publication  Society,  1871-1872. 

Messiah,  Philadelphia,  1 872-1 874. 

Pikeland,  1880- 1882. 

Domer,  Samuel.     D.  D.,  Roanoke  College,  1876. 

St.  Matthew's,  Reading,  1 869-1 872. 
Dorsey,  Edwin,  M.  D. 

Columbia,  i860- 1863. 
Dox,  Henry  L. 

Tremont,  1876- 1878. 
Dunbar,  William  Henry.     D.  D.,  Pennsylvania  College,  1892. 

St.  Peter's,  Easton,  1874- 1880. 

Zion,  Lebanon,  1880-date. 
Duy,  Jacob  C. 

Friesburg,  1837- 1 839. 
Earhart,  Michael  Gordon. 

St.  Mark's,  Steelton,  1 891 -1892. 
Early,  John  William. 

East  Petersburg,  1862- 1863. 

Maytown,  1865-1867. 
Eckert,  John  Varns. 

Maytown,   1876- 1880. 

Neffsville  and  Millersville,  1881-1882. 

Mt.  Eden,  1878-date. 
E(;oers,  Lewis  Gustavus. 

Union  Deposit,  1847-1852. 

En rehart,  Charles  John. 

Middletown,  1 856-1 865. 

Preparatory  Department,  Pennsylvania  College,  1865- 1870. 

Ellery,  J.  Frederick. 

Maytown,  1878-1884. 

Ellisen,  George  Frederick. 

St.  Paul's,  Allentown,  1 793-1 796. 

Emery,  William  Sadler. 

Kintnersville  Charge,  1865-1879. 


344  east  pennsylvania  synod. 

Kmu.ki.kin,  John  Michael. 

Springfield,  1 763-1 770^  ?). 

Nockamixon,  1 766-1  T]0{  ?). 

Maytown,  1 770-1 778. 

Hummelstown,  1 771-1778. 

St.  Peter's  (Fisherville  Charge),  1 795-1807. 

Endress,  Christian  Frederick  Ludwig.      D.  D.,  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, 1 81 9. 

St.  John's,  Easton,  and  St.  James',  Greenwich,  i8oi-i8'5. 

Hamilton,  1803-1805. 

Trinity,  Lancaster,  1815-1827. 
Engel,  Samuel  S. 

Brickerville,  East  Petersburg  and  Kissel  Hill,  1870- 1874. 

Fisherville  Charge,  1874-1875. 
Enoelland,  John  Theophilus. 

Hummelstown,  1 756— (  ?). 

Middletown,  1767- 1773. 
Erhard,  Amos  B.* 

Fisherville  Charge,  1879-18S3. 
Erhart,  Julius. 

Jerusalem,  Schuylkill  Haven,  1854-1865. 

Salem's,  Pine  Grove  Charge,  1 854-1 856 

St.  Peter's,  Pine  Grove  Charge,  1854-1855. 
Ernst,  John  Frederick. 

St.  John's,  Easton,  1 780-1 782. 

St.  James',  Greenwich,  1 781-1790. 

Manheim  and  Maytown,  1802-1805. 

Hummelstown,  1804-1805. 
Ernst,  William  Gotthold.     D.  D.,  Pennsylvania  College,  1839. 

Maytown,  1812-1815. 

Salem,  Lebanon,  1815-1836. 

Hill  Church,  1815-1836. 

Annville,  1 81 5-1 849. 
Evans,  William  Payson. 

Friesburg,  1 879-1881. 

Columbia,  1881-1888. 
Everett,  Thomas  Thompson.     D.  1).,  Washington  and  Lee  University,  1881. 

Messiah,  Harrisburg,  1888- 1890. 
Evster,  David. 

St.  Matthew's,  Philadelphia  (Supply),  after  1818.  before  1827. 
Evster,  William  Franklin. 

Trinity,  Germantown,  1 844-1 851. 

*  Not  a  true  "  Initial,"  but  merely  a  distinctive  letter  adopted  tor  convenience. 


REGISTER    OF    PASIORS.  345 

FELTON,  El'HRAlM. 

St.  James',  Ashland,  1887-1889. 
Fernsler,  Moses. 

Fisherville  Charge,  1 863-1 866. 

Berrysburg  Charge  (including  Lykens  until  1871),  1866-1878. 

Sehaefferstown  and  Brickerville,  1878-date. 

Fetzer,  Christian  Augustus. 

Annville  Charge,  1860-1863. 

Berrysburg  Charge,  1863-1S66. 
Fickinger,  Charles. 

Minersville,  1869-1870. 
Finckel,  Samuel  Df.Vin.     D.  D.,  Irving  College,  1859. 

Millersburg,  about  1832. 

Middletown,  1837-1840. 

Trinity,  German  town,  1840- 1844. 

Ardmore,  1 842-1 844. 
Finkbiner,  John  William. 

Middletown,  1872-1883. 
Fischer,  August  Hermann  Francke. 

Barren  Hill,  1889-date. 

Conshohocken  (Supply),  1889- 1890. 
Fishburn,  Jeremiah. 

Berrysburg  Charge,  1 883-1 890. 
P'ishburn,  William  Haller. 

Lykens,  1886-1887. 

Bethlehem,  Harrisburg,  1887-date. 
Fleck,  Henry  Ramey. 

Stone  Church,  1875-1881. 
Fleck,  Cyrus  Lemuel. 

Riegelsville  Charge,  ( including  Upper  Tinicum  until  1892,)  1887-date. 
Focht,  Joseph  R.* 

Manheim,  East  Petersburg  and  Kissel  Hill,  1864- 1868. 

Millersville,  1867-1868. 

Hamilton  Charge,  1869- 1874. 
Francis,  Jacob  Milton. 

Conshohocken,  1890. 
Frederick,  Christopher  Gottlieb. 

Manheim  and  Brickerville,  1842-1849. 

Kissel  Hill.  1842-1846. 
Frederick,  Thomas  Jackson. 

Shoop's  Charge,  1888- 1890. 

*  Not  a  true  "  Initial,"  but  merely  a  distinctive  letter  adopted  for  convenience. 


346  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

Friederici,  Ji  >II\"  £  ndreas. 

Hamilton,  1 763-1 790. 
Friederici,  Solomon. 

St.  John's,  Easton,  1 782-1 798. 
Fritsch,  George  Washington. 

Lyons  Charge,  1 885-1 891. 

Zion's,  Ashland,  1891-date. 
Fri  rz,  John  Henry. 

Tannersville  (Supply),  1S72-1873. 
Fry,  William  Engelbert. 

Stewartsville,  1801-date. 
Fuchs,  ANDR]  i.S. 

Mt.  Zion,  Martin's  Creek,  1837-1S50. 
Geiser,  Dixon  Hoover. 

Augsburg,  Harrisburg,  1892-date. 
Geissenh  \ini.k,  Frederick  William,  Sr.    D.  D.,  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
1S26. 

Pikeland,  1818-1822. 
Geissenhainer,  Frederick  William,  Jr.     D.  D.,  University  of  City  of  New 
York,  1863. 

Pikeland,  1817-December,  1826. 

Geissenhainer,  Henry  Anastasius. 
Upper  Dublin,  1797-1801. 

Geissenhainer,  Augustus  Theodoshs. 

St.  Paul's,  Allentown    1857-1858. 
Geriiardt,  Leonard. 

Maytown,  1 838-1 847. 

Trinity,  Londonderry,  between  1838  and  1850. 

Shoop's  Charge,  1 847-1 850. 

Middletown,  184  7-1 848. 
Gf.rhardt,  William.     D.  D.,  North  Carolina  College,  1880. 

Maytown,  1847-1850. 
Gerock,  John  Siegfried. 

Trinity,  Lancaster,  1 753—1767. 
Geschwtnd,  Levi  H.* 

Stewartsville,  1884-1885. 
Gilbert,  David  McConaughy.     D.  D.,  Roanoke  College,  18S0. 

Zion,  Harrisburg,  iSSy-date. 
Gladhill,  John  Toms. 

Stone  Church,  1 889-1 891. 

*  Not  a  true  "  Initial,"  but  merely  a  distinctive  letter  adopted  for  convenience. 


REGISTER   OF    PASTORS.  347 

Gi  ending,  William  Marquard  Beetem. 

St.  James',  Ashland,  1889-date. 
Glaze,  Alfred  Raup. 

Trinity,  Martin's  Creek,  1885-1889. 

Gordon,  1892-date. 
Glf.ndtkampt,  J.  A. 

New  Amsterdam,  S.  A.,  1 777-1 779. 
Gockelen,  Augustus  B. 

Pine  Grove  Charge,  1839-1845. 
Goetz,  Carl  Christoph. 

St.  Paul's,  Allentown,  1785-178S. 
Goodlin,  John  Walters. 

Millersville,  1887-1888. 

Gotwald,  Luther  Alexander.     D.  D.,  Pennsylvania  College,  1874. 
Zion,  Lebanon,  1863-1865. 

Gotwald,  Washington  Van  Buren. 

St.  John's,  Lancaster,  1866- 1869. 
Graves,  Uriel. 

Schaefferstown  and  Strausstown,  1865-TS66. 

English,  Pottsville,  1 866-1 868. 
Greenwald,  Emanuel.     D.  D.,  Pennsylvania  College,  1859. 

Christ,  Easton,  1854-1867. 
Groshmek,  J.  J.  M. 

New  Amsterdam,  S,  A.,  1 756-1 760. 
Gross,  Joseph  P. 

Hamilton  Charge,  (including  Tannersville  from   1 834- 1 836  ',  182S- 
1841. 
Grossman,  Henry  Clay. 

Tremont,  1873-1876. 

Phoenixville,  1 886-1 890. 
Hackenberg,  Jacob  A. 

St.  James',  Ashland,  1871-1875. 

Chalfont,  1882 -1883. 

Pikeland,  1882-date. 
Haesbert,  John  F. 

Salem's  and  St.  Peter's  (Pine  Grove  Charge),  1834. 
Haines,  George. 

Hummelstown  and  Union  Deposit,  1854- 1856. 

Manheim  and  East  Petersburg,  1857-185S. 
Halderman,  George  Washington.     D.  D.,  Wittenberg  College,  1890. 

Messiah,  Harrisburg,  1867-1870. 


34^  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

Hamma,  Michael  Wolf.     D.  D.,  Wittenberg  College,  1876. 

St.  Matthew's,  Reading,  1866-1869. 
Handschuh,  John  Frederick. 

Trinity,  Lancaster,  1 748-1 751. 

St.  Michael's,  Germantown,  1 751-175 7. 

YVhitemarsh,  1 753-1 757. 

Philadelphia.  1 757-1 764. 

Friesburg,  1760. 

Harding,  William  Henry. 

Maytown,  1891-date. 
Harkey,  Simeon  Walcher.     D.  D.,  Wittenberg  College,  1851. 

St.  Matthew's,  Philadelphia  (Supply),  1834. 

I  [arpel,  Jeremiah. 

Ardmore,  1S30-1834. 
Harpel,  Mark. 

Friesburg,  1833-1835. 

Ardmore,  1834  or  1835. 

St.  Peter's,  Pine  Grove  Charge,  1835  (?)-i836  (?;. 

Mt.  Zion.  Martin's  Creek,  1850  (?)-i855  (?). 

Brickerville  and  Trinity,  Londonderry,  1859- 1870. 
Haktman,  Joseph  Franklin. 

Pikeland,  1 876-1 880. 
Hartwig,  John  Christopher. 

Reading,  1 757—1 758. 
Hassler,  John  Waldschmidt. 

Chalfont,  185  7- 1863. 

Chaplain  U.  S.  Army,  i863~(?). 
Hausihl,  Bernard  Michael. 

Trinity,  Reading,  1 759-1 762. 

St.  John's,  Easton,  1 763-1 764  (?). 
Hayerstick,  Henry. 

Ardmore,  1S50-1851. 

Ardmore,  1855. 

Whitemarsh  (Supply),  1852. 
Havice,  Marcus  Hill. 

Shenandoah, 1891-date. 

Hay,  Charles  Augustus.     D.  D.,  Pennsylvania  College,  1859. 
Zion,  Harrisburg,  1849-1865. 
Professor  in  Theological  Seminary,  Gettysburg,  1865-date. 

II  w,  Charles  Ebert. 

Fisherville  Charge,  1 876-1877. 
St.  Paul's,  Allentovvn,  1877- 1890. 
Fogelsville,  1883 -1884. 
St.  Matthew's,  Allentown,  i89C-date. 


register  ok  pastors.  349 

Hay,  Edward  Grier. 

English,  Pottsville,  1880— date. 
Hecht,  Anthony. 

Upper  Dublin,  1785. 
Hecht,  John  Peter. 

St.  John's,  Easton,  1815-1845. 

St.  James',  Greenwich,  181 5-1837. 
Heck,  Jacob  Henry. 

Ardmore,  1 861-1868. 
Heilig,  George. 

Hamilton  Charge,  1841-1857. 
Heilig,  Theophilus. 

Riegelsville  Charge,  1864- 1876. 
Heilman,  Lee  Mechling. 

Messiah,  Harrisburg,  1873— 1 S83. 
Heintzelman,  John  Dietrich  Matthew. 

Philadelphia,  1 753-1 756. 
Heisler,  Washington  Lafayette. 

St.  James',  Ashland,  185S-1861. 

Minersville  and  Tremont,  1883- 1887. 

Shoop's  Charge,  1891-date. 
Heisler,  Martin  Lither. 

Lykens  and  Williamstown,  1883-1886. 

Dauphin  (.Supply),  1886-date. 
Held,  Cyrus  Elmer. 

Hamilton  Charge,  1892-date. 

Helmuth,  Justus  Henry  Christian.    D.  I ).,  University  of  Pennsylvania  1 785. 

Trinity,  Lancaster,  1 769-1 780. 

Brickerville,  1774-177  5. 

Brickerville,   1 776-1 777. 

Philadelphia,  1 779-1822. 
Hempinc,  John  Adam. 

Berrysburg  Charge,  181 1-1842. 

St.  Peter's,  Fisherville  Charge,  1811-1847. 
Henkel,  Gerhard. 

Philadelphia,  1 720-1 728. 
HENKEL,  David  Melanchthon.     D.  D.,  Carthage  College,  1882. 

Stewartsville,  1 855-1 859. 
Henry,  Elias  Strickhouser. 

Jacob's  and  St.  John's,  Pine  Grove  Charge,  1852-date. 

St.  Peter's,  Pine  Grove  Charge,  1855-datc. 

Salem's,  Pine  Grove  Charge,  1856- date. 

Tremont,  1853-1860. 


35°  i  wl    pennsylvania  synod. 

Henry,  Samuel. 

Greenwich,  1 80S- 1880. 
Henry,  (  1e<  irge  O  inrad. 

Berrysburg  Charge,  1S75-1S82. 
Hesse,  William. 

Trinity,  Martin's  Creek,  iSSc)-date. 
Hinman,  Willis  Stuart. 

Columbia,  1888-date. 
Hippee,  Lewis. 

Trinity,  Lancaster   (Assistant),  1856-185 7. 

Whitemarsh,  185  7-1 859. 
Hucker,  Martin  Peter. 

St.  John's,  Steelton,  1883-date. 
Holloway,  Henry  Clay.     D.  D.,  Wittenberg  College,  1S87. 

Middletown    18S4-1889. 
Holman,  Samuel  Augustus.     D.  D.,  Pennsylvania  College,  1884. 

English,  Pottsville,  1859-1861. 

Grace,  Philadelphia,  1868- 1873. 

Calvary,  Philadelphia,  1874-date. 
Hooper,  Philip  Stansbury. 

Stone  Church,  1S81-1882. 

Phcenixville,  1883-1886. 

Lykens,  1890-date. 
Hoover,  Francis  Trout. 

Maytown,  1868-1870. 

St.  James',  Greenwich,  1880-1883. 
Houseman,  John  H.* 

Maytown,  1 882-1 884. 
Huber,  Eli.     D.  D.  Pennsylvania  College,  1884. 

Schuylkill  Haven,  185 8- 1 860. 

Hummelstown  and  Union  Deposit,  1861-1866. 

Messiah,  Philadelphia,  1 876-1 892. 

Professor  of  English  Bible,  Pennsylvania  College,  1892-date. 
Hufford,  Rufus  Ward.     D.  D..  W'ittenberg  College,  1891. 

St.  John's,  Lancaster,   1 876-1 880. 

Millersville,  1880.  • 

St.  Paul's,  Easton,   1880-date. 
HUTTER,  Edwin  Wilson.     D.  D.,  Pennsylvania  College,  1866. 

St.  Matthew's,  Philadelphia,  1850-1873. 
ILLIG,  T.  F. 

Middletown,  1773-1788.  ( ?) 

*  Not  a  true  "  Initial,"  but  merely  a  distinctive  letter  adopted  for  convenience. 


register  of  pastors.  35  i 

Jaeger,  John  Conrad. 

St.  James',  Greenwich,  1792 — before  181 2. 

Springfield,  1797-1801. 

St.  Paul's,  Allentown,  1800-1831. 

Jaeger,  Joshua. 

St.  Paul's,  Allentown   (Assistant),  1S27-1831. 

St.  Paul's,  Allentown  (Pastor),   1 831-1852. 
Jaeger,  Nathan. 

Lykens  and  St.  Peter's  (Fisherville  Charge),  1850-1852. 

Riegelsville  Charge,  1S63-1864. 
Jaeger,  Thomas  Theophilus. 

Brickerville,   1850-1852. 
Jasinsky,  Frederick. 

Pikeland,  1811-1815. 
Johnston,  Elias  Schei.lhammer. 

Messiah,  Harrisburg,  186C-1866. 
Junius, . 

New  Amsterdam,  S.  A.,  1832-1840. 
Kaempfer,  Jacob. 

Manheim,  East  Petersburg  and  Millersville,  1868-1869. 
Kast,  Jacob  Keller. 

Minersville,  1853-1855. 
Kautz,  Benjamin  Franklin. 

Berrysburg  Charge,  iSgc-date. 
Keedv,  Cornelius  L.*,  M.  D. 

Riegelsville  Charge,  1861-1862. 

Barren  Hill,   1 862-1 865. 
Keller,  Benjamin, 

St.  Michael's,  Germantown,  1828-1835. 

Barren  Hill,  1S2S-1835. 

Ardmore,  1 828-1830. 

Whitemarsh,  1 829-1 835. 
Keller,  Jacob  B.* 

St.  Peter's,  Easton,  1886-1888. 
Kelly,  William. 

Stewartsville,  1S77-1884. 
Kingsley,  Robert  F. 

Chalfont,  1874. 
Kline,  Samuel  Snyder. 

Hamilton,  1 858-1 860. 

*  Not  a  true  "  Initial,"  but  merely  a  distinctive  letter  adopted  for  convenience. 


352  east  pennsylvania  synod. 

Klinefelter,  Frederick. 

Tremont,  1868- 1872. 

Kling,  John. 

Phoenixville,  1 891 -date. 

Kloss,  Daniel. 

Lykens  and  Williamstown,  1871-1877. 

I\M>-,KE,  JOHN. 

Jacob's  and  Salem,  Pine  (".rove  <  lharge,  1802—1811. 

Koons,  Edward  Jackson. 

Whitemarsh,  1 860-1 862. 

Koser,  Da\  IP  Theodore. 

Riegelsville  Charge,  1877-1887. 

Kraft,  John  Valentine. 

Philadelphia,  1742. 

Kramer,  John  Paul  Ferdinand. 

Springfield  and  Nockamixon,  1801-1S03. 
Lykens  Valley,  i8o5-(?). 
Hummelstown  and  Shoop's,  1 807-1 80S. 
Maytown.  1 806-1 81 2. 

Kramlich,  Benjamin  Elias. 

Mohrsville,  1865-1867. 

Krauth,  Charles  Philip.     D.  D.,  University  of  Pennsylvania,  1837. 
St.  Matthew's,  Philadelphia,  1827-1833. 
Ardmore,  1828- 1830. 

Kroh,  Herman  Frederick. 
Lykens,  1887-18S9. 

Krotel.  GorrLOB   Frederick.     D.  D.,  University  of  Pem.sylvania,   1865; 

LL.  D.,  Muhlenberg  College,  1888. 
Trinity,  Lancaster,  1853-1861. 
Annville,  1849-1853. 

Krug,  John  Andrew. 

Trinity,  Reading,  1 764-1 771. 

Kunze,  John  Christopher.     D.  I).,  University  of  Pennsylvania,  1783. 
Philadelphia,  1 770-1 784. 

Khrtz,  John  Nicholas. 

Easton  (Forks),  1749. 
St.  Michael's,  Germantown,  1 763-1 764. 
Upper  Dublin  and  Barren  Hill,  1763-17^4. 
Middletown  (or  his  son,  J.  D.),  1788-1793. 


REGISTER    OF    PASTORS.  353 


Kurtz,  William. 

Upper  Dublin,  1 757-1 758. 

Salem,  Lebanon,  1 775-1794. 

Jacob's  (Pine  Grove  Charge),  1 780-1 798. 

Hummelstown,  1 781-1795. 
Kurtz,  Henry  A. 

Hamilton,  1818-1823. 

Kutz,  Henry  David. 

Dauphin,  1868-1869. 

Snoop's  Charge  (with  Sandy  Hollow),  1869-1871. 

Laitzle,  William  Gottlieb. 

St.  Peter's,  Armstrong  Valley,  1 841-1843. 
Millersburg,  Werts'  and  Salem,  1842- 1843. 
Union  Deposit  and  Sandy  Hollow,  1852-1854. 
Trinity,  Londonderry,  1854- 1859.  • 
Maytown,  1855-1862. 

Lake,  John  Welter. 

Friesburg,  1871-1874. 

Mahanoy  City,  1 880-1 881. 
Lane,  Peter  Paul. 

Berrysburg  Charge,  1861-1862. 
Lazarus,  George  Miller. 

Chalfont,  1869-1871. 
Leeser,  John  Henry. 

Trinity,  Martin's  Creek,  1875- 1877. 

Hummelstown,  1877-1885. 
Lehman,  Daniel. 

Trinity,  Reading,  1 779-1 780. 

Trinity,  Reading,  1 796-1 801. 
Lenhart,  Edwin. 

Mohrsville  (Womelsdorf  Charge),  1878-1879. 

Lentz,  Alexander  Wiley. 

Friesburg,  1882- 1 886. 

Millersville,  1 889-date. 
Leopold,  Owen. 

Fogelsville,  1861-1874. 

Leps,  John  Christian. 

St.  Paul's,  Allentown,  between  1778  and  1785. 

Lk HERMAN,  Henry  Alexander. 
Dauphin,  1 882-1 886. 
Fisherville  Charge,  1886-1889. 


354  I  Asl     PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

Lewars,  William  Henry. 

Lyons,  1881-1882. 

Mahanoy  City,  1882-1886. 

Lititz  and  Kissel  Hill,  1886-18S9. 

Xeft'sville.  1 888-1889. 

Palmyra  (Supply),  1 890-1 892. 

Annville  and  Hill   Church,  1890-date. 
Link,  Adam  Schindler. 

Hummelstown  and  Union  Deposit,  1858-1861. 
Lochman,  George.     D.  D.,  Allegheny  College,  1819. 

Salem,  Lebanon,  1 794-181 5. 

Hill  Church,  near  Annville,  1 794-181 5. 

Annville,  1804-1815. 

Zion,  Harrisburg,  1815-1826. 

Middletown,  i8i5-i826(  ?). 

Shoop's  Church,  1816-1826. 
Lochman,  ArorsTus  Hoffman.     D.  D.,  Pennsylvania  College,  1856. 

Zion,  Harrisburg,  1827-1836. 

Shoop's,  1826-1835. 

Middletown,  1826-1830. 

Dauphin,  1830. 
Luckenbach,  William  HENRY.      D.  D.,  Wittenberg  College,  1888. 

English,  Pottsville,  185  7- 1859. 

Mack,  Peter  Stauffer. 

Hummelstown,  1 873-1877. 
Maier,  Daniel. 

Oberlin,  1852-1855. 
Main,  John  Harry. 

Grace,  Philadelphia,  1891-date. 

Manhart,  Frank  Pierce. 

All  Saints',  Philadelphia,  1889-date. 
Marci.ey,  Orlando  Daniel  Stevens. 

St.  James',  Ashland,  1875-1878. 

Gordon,  1876-1878. 

Martin,  Jacob. 

Berrysburg  Charge,  1852- 1853. 
Mak  1  /,  George  Jacob. 

Shoop's,  Swatara,  Dauphin,  Sandy  Hollow  and  Wenrich's,  1855-1868. 

Schaefferstown,  Womelsdorf,  Strausstown,  Myerstown  and  Richland. 
1868-1878. 

Tremont,  1878- 1880. 

Union  Deposit,  Sandy  Hollow  and  Sand  Hill,  1882-1883. 

Lyons,  Macungie  and  Salem,  1891-date. 


register  of  pastors.  355 

McAtee,  John  Quincy. 

English,  Pottsville,  1871-1877. 

Minersville,  1872-1874. 

Minersville,  1875— 1877. 

Barren  Hill,  1883-1888. 
McCkon,  John.     D.  D.,  Roanoke  College,  1857. 

Pikeland,  1843- 1847. 

St.  James',  Greenwich,  1 847-1 851. 

Stewartsville,  N.  J.,  (  ?  )-i85i. 

Riegelsville,  1850-1851. 

Pottsville,  1 878- 1 880. 
McDowell,  Samuel  James. 

Friesburg,  1892-date. 
McGann,  Isaac  Henry. 

Stone  Church,  1892-date. 
McKnight,  Harvey  Washington.     U.  D.,  Monmouth  College.  Ills.,  1883; 
LL.  D.,  Lafayette  College,  1 890. 

St.  Paul's,  Easton,  1872-1880. 

President  of  Pennsylvania  College,  1884-date. 
Mealy,  Stephen  A. 

St.  Matthew's,  Philadelphia,  between  1838  and  1841. 
Medtart,  Jacob. 

St.  Matthew's,  Philadelphia,  1834-1838. 
Meister,  Emil. 

St.  Stephen's,  Lancaster,  1880-date. 
Melchor,  Oliver  Hoffman. 

Springfield,  Durham  and  Springtown,  1879-date. 

Nockamixon,  1 88c- 1892. 
Melsheimer,  Frederick  Theodore. 

Maytown,  1 784-1801. 

Hill  Church,  near  Annville,  1 779-1 794. 

Shoop's,  1 783- 1 788. 

Manheim,  1 783-1 789. 
Menges,  John  Hershey. 

Columbia,  1849- 1860. 

Manheim,  1849-185 1. 

East  Petersburg,  1849- 185 2. 

East  Petersburg,  185 5- 185  7. 

Grace,  Philadelphia,  1878-1891. 

Zion's,  Manheim,  1891-date. 
Men  nig,  George. 

Jacob's  and  Salem  (Pine  Grove  Charge),  1811-1833. 

St.  Peter's  (Pine  Grove  Charge),  1816-1833. 

Jerusalem,  Schuylkill  Haven,  1821-1836. 


356  east  pennsylvania  synod. 

Mennig,  William  Goepfert. 

Jacob's  and  Salem  (Pine  Grove  Charge),  1834- 1839. 

St.  Peter's,  1837-1839. 

Pottsville,  1834-1859. 

Minersville,  1 839-1 858. 

Jerusalem,  Schuylkill  Haven,  1836-185 1. 

St.  Paul's,  Schuylkill  Haven,  1837-1859. 

Port  Carbon,  1841-1857. 

St.  Paul's,  Allentown,  1 859-1 877. 

Fogelsville,  187  7- 1883. 

Lyons  Charge  (Supply),  1882. 
Mensch,  John  Nicholas. 

Springfield  and  Nockamixon,  1803-1823. 

Durham,  1811-1823. 
Miller,  S.  F. 

New  Amsterdam,  S.  A.,  1 761-1763. 
Miller,  Jacob  S. 

Nockamixon,  1773-1789  (?). 
Miller  (Mueller),  Henry. 

Trinity,  Reading,  1775. 

Ardmore,  1 786-1 787. 

Zion,  Harrisburg,  1 795-1803. 

Middletown,  1795- 1803. 

Shoop's,  1 796-1803. 
Miller,  Henry  Seipel. 

Springfield  and  Durham,  1823- 1838. 

Nockamixon,  1823-1838  (?). 

Annville,  1854-1859  ( ?). 
Miller,  Jacob  — .     D.  D.,  University  of  Pennsylvania,  183^'. 

Trinity,  Reading,  1829-1850. 
Miller,  Christian  Philip. 

Brickerville  and  Manheim,  1836-1841. 

Kissel  Hill,  1 839-1 841. 
Miller,  Charles  Peter. 

Springfield  and  Durham,  1 842-1865. 

Nockamixon,  1842-1865  (?). 
Miller,  Daniel. 

Greenwich,  1 837-1 847. 

Pikeland,  1847-1849. 
Miller,  Walter. 

Shenandoah,  1 883-1 885. 
Mi  itelholzer,  John  R. 

New  Amsterdam,  S.  A.,  1875-date. 


REGISTER    OF    PASTORS.  35  7 

Morell,  Elijah  Steward. 

Chalfont,  1 883-1 888. 
Norwood,  1888-date. 

MUHLENBERG,  HENRY  MELCHIOR.     D.  D.,  University  of   Pennsylvania,  1784. 
Philadelphia  and  Germantown,  1 742-1 745. 
Lionville,  (Vincent)  1744. 
Easton  (Forks),  1749. 
Pikeland,  1 751-1770. 
Upper  Dublin,  1754— 1 757. 
Upper  Dublin,  1 762-1763. 
Barren  Hill,  1 759-1 769. 
Barren  Hill,  1 776-1 786. 
Friesburg,  1760. 
Philadelphia,  1 761 -1774. 
Brickerville  (Warwick),  1 770-1 773. 

Muhlenberg,  John  Peter  Gabriel. 

St.  James',  Greenwich,  1770-1773. 

Muhlenberg,  Frederick  Augustus  Conrad. 
Manheim,  1771-1778. 
Salem,  Lebanon,  1 773—1 775. 

Muhlenberg,  Gotthilf  Henry  Ernst.     D.  D.,  Princeton  College.  1 787. 

Philadelphia,  1771-1779. 

Barren  Hill.  1776  (?)  -1780  (  ?). 

Trinity,  Lancaster,  17S0-1815. 
Muhlenberg,  Henry  Augustus. 

Trinity,  Reading,  1803-1829. 

Naesman,  Gabriel. 

Friesburg,  1 743-1 745. 

Nefe,  Isaac  P.,*  M.  D. 

Minersville  and  Tremont.  1 880-1 881. 
Shenandoah,  1881-1883. 

Niemyer,  Frank. 

Hamilton,  1 790-1803. 

NlTTERAUER,  CORNELIUS. 

Dauphin,  1851-1853. 

Palmer,  Samuel  S.* 

Pikeland,  1 874-1875. 
Phcenixville,  1875- 1 880. 

Pentz,  Peter. 

Middletown,  1793— 1795. 

*  Not  a  true  "  Initial,"  but  merely  a  distinctive  letter  adopted  for  1  onvenience. 


358  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

I'll  kk.  J  VCOB. 

Manheim  and  Londonderry,  1872-1891. 

East  Petersburg,  1874-1891. 

Kissel  Hill,  1 874- 1 886. 

Neffsville,   1 880-1 881. 

Lititz,  1 885- 1 886. 

East  Petersburg  Charge,  1891-date. 
Peterson,  John  Dietrich. 

Zion,  Harrisburg  and  Middletown,  1803-1812. 

St.  Peter's  (Fisherville  Charge),  1807-1811. 
Putt,  Frederick. 

Pikeland,  1804- 1807  (?). 

Plot,  John  Keller. 

St.  James',  Greenwich,  1851-1865. 
Stewartsville,  1851-1855. 

Porr,  William  S.* 

Annville,  1859-1860. 

Brickerville,  1874-1875. 

St.  Stephen's,  Lancaster,  1874-1880. 

Millersville,  1875-1880. 

St.  John's,  Steelton,    1880-1882. 
Pritchard,  Thomas  Charles. 

Barren  Hill,  1871-1883. 

St.  James',  Greenwich,  1883-date. 
Probst,  John  Frederick. 

Hummelstown,  1856-1858. 
Pyrlaeus,  John  Christopher. 

Philadelphia,  1742. 

Rabv,  Peter. 

Pikeland  and  Lionville,  1849- 185  8. 
Middletown,  1865-1872. 
Grace,  Philadelphia,  1874-1876. 

Reed,  David  E.* 

Lyons,  1 880-1 881. 
Rees,  Charles. 

Manheim  and  Brickerville,  1854-1856. 

Kissel  Hill,  1855-1856. 
Reimensnvdek,  Cornelius. 

Pikeland,  1859-1863. 

Columbia,  1 863-1 865. 
Reinmund,  Jacob  Frederick.     D.  I).,  Wittenberg  College,  1876. 

Zion,  Lebanon,  1872-1880. 

*  Not  a  true  "  Initial,"  but  merely  a  distinctive  letter  adopted  for  convenience 


REGISTER    (IF    PAS'IOKS.  359 

i\i  \i/.  William  Frazenius. 
I.ionville,  1 882-1 888. 

Reynolds,  William  Morton.     D.  D.,  Jefferson  College,  1850. 

Friesburg,  1835-1837. 
Rhodes,  George  Martin. 

Columbia,  1870-1874. 
Rhodes,  Mosheim.     D.  D.,  Wittenberg  College,  1878. 

Zion,  Lebanon, 1867-1872. 
Riach,  Alexander. 

New  Amsterdam,  S.  A.,  about  1852. 
Richards,  John  William.     D.  D.,  Jefferson  College,  1852. 

St.  Michael's,  C.ermantown,  1 836-1845. 

St.  John's,  Easton,  1845-1851. 

Richards,  Matthias  Henry.     D.  D.,  Pennsylvania  College,  1889. 
St.  James',  Greenwich,  1865-1868. 

RlGHTMYER,  PETER   MosES. 

Chalfont,  1 863-1 868. 
Friesburg,  1874-1879. 
Rizer,  Peter. 

Hummelstown  and  Union  Deposit,  1866-1873. 
Stewartsville,  1873-1877. 

Roedel,  William  Diller. 

Ardmore,  1851-1855. 
Roeller,  Isaac. 

Fogelsville,  1835—185 1 . 
Romig,  Moses  S.* 

Williamstown,  1886-1888. 

ROSENM1LLER,  DAYID  PORTER. 

Kissel  Hill,  1857-1862. 

Manheim,  i858-(  ?). 

Dauphin,  1870- 1880. 
Roth,  John  Joseph. 

St.  Paul's,  Allentown,  1 763-1 764. 
Roths,  George. 

Hamilton  Charge,  1874-1882. 
ROWENACH,  J. 

Pikeland,  i8o7( ?)-i8i  1  ( ?). 
Rueter,  Adelbert  Charles  Roderico. 

East  Petersburg,  1852-1853. 
Rumpf,  Adolphus. 

St.  Mark's  (Hamilton  Charge),  1857-1858. 

*  Not  a  true  "  Initial,"  but  merely  a  distinctive  letter  adopted  for  convenience. 


360  fas  i    pennsylvania  synod. 

Rupert,  Peter. 

Hamilton  Charge,  1812-1818. 

Hamilton  Charge,  1 823-1 828. 
Rupley,  Daniel  E. 

Ashland  and   Gordon,  1878-1879. 
Rutherford,  William  Lincoln. 

St.  Mark's,  Steelton,  1892-date. 
Ruthraiff,  John  Frederick. 

Manheim,  before  1825. 
RUTHRAUFF,  FREDERICK. 

Maytown,   1 828-1 832. 

Manheim,  i828(?)-i832. 

Pikeland,  1836- 1843. 

Lionville,  1 838-1 843. 

RUTHRAUFF,  FREDERICK  JONATHAN. 

Salem,  Lebanon,  1836-1844. 

Zion,  Lebanon,  1 844-1 849. 

Hill  Church,  near  Annville,  1836- 1849. 

Schaefferstown,  1837-1849. 
RUTHRAUFF,  WILLIAM  PaTTON. 

Christ,  Easton,  1867-1870. 
Sadtler,  J.  P.,  Benjamin.     D.  D.,  Pennsylvania  College,  1867. 

Jacob's  and  St.  John's,  Pine  Grove  Charge,  1845- 1849. 

Salem's,  Pine  Grove  Charge,  1846- 1848. 

Tremont,  1 847-1849. 

Middletown,  1853-1856. 

St.  John's,  Easton,  1856-1862. 
Sah.m,  Peter.     D.  D.,  Pennsylvania  College,  1869. 

Manheim,  1833-1835. 

Maytown,   1833-1837. 

Middletown,  1 834-1837. 
Sample,  James  Reed. 

Mahanoy  City,  1887. 
Sandt,  Charles  Milton. 

Gordon,  1888-1891. 

Easton  (resident),  1891-date. 
Schaeffer,  Frederick  David.     D.  D.,  University  of  Pennsylvania,  1813. 

Zion,  Harrisburg,  1 788-1 790. 

Shoop's,  1 788-1 796. 

St.  Michael's,  Germantown,  1 790-181 2. 

Barren  Hill,  1790-1812. 

A_rdmore,  1790-1800. 

Upper  Dublin,  1801-1810. 

Zion's  and  St.  Michael's,  Philadelphia.  1812-1834. 


REGISTER    OF    PASTORS.  36 1 

SCHAEFFER,  Frederick  CHRISTIAN.     D.  D.,  Columbia  College,  1830. 

Zion,  Harrisburg,  Shoop's  and  Middletown,  1812-1815. 
SCHAEFFER,  CHARLES  FREDERICK.     D.  D.,  Pennsylvania  College,  1850. 

Ardmore  (while  student),  1828-1830. 

St.  John's,  Easton,  1851-1856. 
SCHAEFFER,  CHARLES  WlLLIAM.      I).  I).,  Pennsylvania  College.  1852;  LL.  D., 
Thiel  College,  1887. 

Whitemarsh  and  Barren  Hill,  1835-2 841. 

Zion,  Harrisburg,  1841-1849. 
Schacm,  John  Helerich. 

Upper  Dublin,  1 758-1 762. 
Scheurer,  Peter. 

Hummelstown,  1822-before  1830. 
Schindel,  Jeremiah. 

St.  Peter's  (Fisherville  Charge).  1843-1S45. 

Fogelsville,  1851-1858. 
SCHINDLER,  Daniel.     D.  D.,  Lebanon  Valley  College.  18X2. 

Zion,  Lebanon,  1865-1867. 
Schmidt,  John  Frederick. 

St.  Michael's,  Cermantown,  1 769-1 786. 

Upper  Dublin  and  Ardmore,  1 769-1785. 

Barren  Hill,  1769-  (?). 

Philadelphia,  1 786-1 81 2. 
Schmidt,  Augustus  Herman. 

Springfield,  after   1766-before  1789. 

Xockamixon,  1798. 

Easton,  1 799-1801. 
SCHMUCKER,  BEALE  MELANCHTHON.     D.  D.,  University  of  Pennsylvania,  1870. 

St.  Paul's,  Allentown,  1852-1855. 

St.  John's,  Easton,  1862-1867. 
SCHOCK,  James  L(awrenceP).     D.  D.,  Pennsylvania  College,  1S63. 

St.  Matthew's,  Reading,  1842-1849. 
SCHOLL,  William  Nace.     D.  D.,  Pennsylvania  College,  1866. 

Trinity,  Cermantown,  1 836-1840. 
Schrenk,  Rudolph. 

St.  John's,  Easton,  1749- 1 754. 
Schroedek,  John  Daniel. 

Manheim,  1778-1782. 

lirickerville,   1 780-1 781. 

Barren  Hill,  1 776— ijSrzf  ?). 

SCHUHMACHER,  DANIEL. 

Reading,  1  754-1755. 


362  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

SCHULTZE,   |nii.\  CHRIS!  IAN. 

Philadelphia,  1 732-1 733. 

Schultze,  Christopher  Emanuel. 

Philadelphia,  1 765-1 770. 

Barren  Hill  (Assistant),  1 765—1 769. 

Brickerville  and  Schaefferstown,  1765-1809. 

Schultze,  John  Andrew  Melchior. 

Jacob's,  Pine  Grove  Charge,  1798- 1802. 

Salem's,  Pine  Grove  Charge,  1 799-1 802. 

Lykens  Valley,  about  1800. 
SCHWARBACK,  JOHN. 

Brickerville,  1775-1776. 
Scriba,  Henry. 

Manheim,  1807. 
Secrist,  Levi  Krone. 

Fisherville  Charge,  1855-1858. 
Seifert,  Henry. 

Hamilton  Charge,  1 860-1 869. 
Sell,  Daniel. 

Berrysburg  Charge,  1853-1860. 
Sell,  Edward  Herman  Miller.     M.  I).,  1866. 

Fogelsville,  1 859-1 861. 
Sentman,  Solomon. 

Barren  Hill,  1858-1862. 

Lionville,  1 863-1 870. 

Principal  Preparatory  Department,  Pennsylvania  College,  1870-1871. 

Shannon,  Samuel  Galkraith. 

Bethany,  Philadelphia,  1889-date. 

Shatto  (Shadow),  Martin  Van  Buren. 

Fishervijle  Charge,  1884-1885. 

Shoop's  Charge,  1885-1887. 
Shearer,  Jacob  Ferrell. 

St.  Mark's,  Conshohocken,  1890-date. 

Sheeleigh,  Matthias.     D.  D.,  Newberry  College,  1885. 

Minersville,  1857-1859. 

Stewartsville,  1864-1869. 

Whitemarsh,  1869-date. 
Shertz,  Alexander  Hamilton. 

Maytown,  1885-1890. 

Shetler,  Daniel  Augusti  s. 

Shenandoah,  1886-1888. 


register  of  pastors.  363 

Shindi.e,  Henry  Clay. 

Minersville,  1864-1868. 

Shoffner,  John  Rukan.  . 

Lionville,  1871-1876. 

Sikes,  James  Robert. 

St.  James',  Ashland,  1864-1867. 

Stewartsville,    1869-1872. 
Sill.,  (  Jeorge. 

Whitemarsh,  1 863-1 869. 

Chalfont,  1890-date. 

SlNGMASTER,  JOHN    ALDEN. 

Schuylkill  Haven,  1876-1882. 

Lyons  Charge,  1882- 1885. 

Macungie  Charge,  1885- 1886. 

Mohrsville,  1876-1878. 

Fogelsville,   1884- 1886;    1 891 -date. 

St.  Paul's,  Allentown,  1890-date. 
Smith,  Charles. 

Christ,  Eastern,  1851  —  1854. 
Smi  ih,  William  H.,  M.  D. 

Ardmore,   1 848-1 850. 

Whitemarsh  and  Barren  Hill,  1 850-1852. 
Snyder,  Henry  Gelwix. 

Hummelstown,  1890-date. 
Sondhaus,  Martin. 

Trinity,  Londonderry,  1S54. 

Maytovvn,  1855. 

Sprecher,  Samuel.     D.  D.,  Washington  College,  1850;  I, L.I).,  Pennsylvania 
College,  1874. 

Zion,  Harrisburg,  1836- 1840. 
Stalky,  Frederick  Walpole. 

Schuylkill  Haven  (Supply),  1876. 

Columbia,  1877-1881. 

Trinity,  Martin's  Creek,  1881-1885. 

Middletown,  1890-date. 
Stall,  Sylvani  s. 

Trinity,  Martin's  Creek,  1877-1880. 

St.  John's,  Lancaster,  18S1-1887. 

S 1  echer,  Henry  (  Je<  >r<  ;e. 

Hummelstown,  1830- 1854. 
Shoop's,  1 836- 1 847. 


364  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

Si  kk.  DANIEL.     I>.  D.,  Roanoke  College,  1874. 

English,  Pottsville,  1847- 185 7. 

English,  Pottsville,  1868-1870.       . 

Schuylkill  Haven,  1851-1857. 

Minersville,  1851—1853. 

St.  John's.  Lancaster,  1858-1862. 
Si  eck,  Jacob. 

Minersville,  1855-1857. 
Steck,  John  McLean. 

Mahanoy  City,  1875-1880. 
Steck,  William  Henry  Harrison. 

Columbia,  1865- 1870. 

Ardmore,  1874-1890. 

Coatesville,  1890-date. 

Steck,  Augustus  Reincehl, 

Stewartsville,  1 886-1 891. 
Stelling,  George  Frederick.     D.  D.,  Pennsylvania,  College,  1874. 

Zion,  Harrisburg,  1 865-1875. 
Stine,  Milton  Henry. 

Maytown,  1880-1882. 

Seventh  Street,  Lebanon,  1883- 1892. 
Stock,  Daniel. 

Maytown,  1871-1873. 
St<  iever,  John  Caspar. 

Brickerville,  1 730-1 743. 

Philadelphia,  1733. 

Hill  Church,  near  Annville,  1 733-1 779. 

Near  Lebanon,  1733-  (?). 

Trinity,  Lancaster,  1 736-1 740. 

Brickerville,  1 777-1 779. 
Stoever,  Charles  Franklin. 

St.  Peter's  (Fisherville  Charge),  1845- 1850. 

Lykens  (occasionally),  1845-1850. 

Millersburg  and  Killinger,  1 846-1852. 

Dauphin,  before  1849-185  2. 

Shoop's,  1 850-1 854. 
Stork,  Theophilus.     D.  D.,  Pennsylvania  College,  1851. 

St.  Matthew's,  Philadelphia,  1841-1850. 
Stover,  Jacob  Monroe. 

Fisherville  Charge,  1890-date. 
Strauss,  Abraham  Mill. 

Tannersville,  1875-1883. 


REGISTER    OF    PASTORS.  365 

Stkein,  John  Jacob. 

Maytown,  1815-1825. 
Streit,  Christian. 

Eastern,  1 769-1 779. 

St.  James',  Creenvvich,  1 773—1 777- 

Streiter,  John  Philip. 

Philadelphia  (not  ordained),  1737. 
Studebaker,  Albert  Hedges.     D.  D.,  Wittenberg  College,  1891. 

Zion,  Harrisburg,  1881-1886. 

SUESSEROTT,  BENJAMIN  CHRISTIAN. 

Whitemarsh,  1856- 1757. 
St.  John's,  Lancaster,  1870-1876. 
Millersville,  1870-1875. 
Swartz,  Joel.     D.  D.,  Wittenberg  College,  1868. 
Messiah,  Philadelphia,  1874-1875. 
Zion,  Harrisburg,  1875-1880. 

Swope,  David. 

Whitemarsh,  1855-1856. 

Taerkenius,  John  Hendrick. 

New  Amsterdam,  S.  A.,  1 752-1 754. 
Thrai.l,  William  Gardner. 

Gordon,  1 886-1 887. 
Titus,  Timothy  Tilghman. 

Ardmore,  1856-1861. 
Tompkins,  Frank  P. 

Messiah,  Harrisburg,  1870-1873. 
Town,  Edward. 

Friesburg,  1839. 

A_rdmore,  1 840-1 842. 
Tkanberg,  Peter. 

Friesburg,  1 726-1 743. 
Trauger,  Jordan  Calfe. 

Minersville  and  Tremont,  1890-date. 
Treibley,  Daniel  Benjamin. 

Shenandoah,  1889-1891. 
Trowbridge,  Charles  Reuben. 

St.  Peter's,  Easton,   1 888-1 892. 
Trump,  Charles  Samuel. 

Stone  Church,  1883- 1888. 
Ulery,  Christian  Detrich. 

Lionville,   1861-1862. 


366  fast  pennsylvania  synod. 

I'nki  11,  John  Nicholas. 

Friesburg,  185S-1866. 

Valentine,    Milton.     D.  D.,  Pennsylvania   College,  1866:   LL.D.,  Witten- 

burg  College,   1886. 

St.  Matthew's,  Reading,  1859-1866. 

Valentine,  Milton  Henry. 

Messiah,  Philadelphia,  1892-date. 

Van  Buskerk,  Jacob. 

St.  Michael's,  Germantown,  1766-1769. 

Ardmore,  Upper  Dublin  and  Barren  Hill,  1 765-1 769. 

St.  Paul's,  Allentown,  1 769-1 778. 

Upper  Dublin,  1 785-1 795. 

Vanhoff,  John  Henry. 

Hummelstown,  181 1  -(  ?). 
Middletown,  1830-1834. 

\'(h;klbach,  Jacob  Traugott. 

Middletown,  1844-1847. 

Oberlin,  1845-1847. 

Oberlin,  1850- 185  2. 

St.  Paul's,  Allentown,   1852-1857. 

Voigt,  John  Ludwig. 

St.  Michael's,  Germantown,  1 764-1 765. 
Upper  Dublin  and  Barren  Hill,  1 764-1 765. 
Pikelandj  1 779-1 793. 
Wagner,  Refben  Schflek. 

East  Petersburg,  1 847-1 849. 

Walter,  Clinton  Elmer. 

Trinity,  Germantown,  (Assistant).  1892-date. 

Waltz,  Frederick. 

Jerusalem,  Schuylkill  Haven,  1 852-1 854. 

St.  Peter's,  (Fisherville  Charge),  1855-1869. 
Wampole,  Jacob. 

Pikeland,  1827-1830. 

Lionville,  1833-1S36. 
W  vrner,  Adam  Nicholas. 

Minersville,  1S7S-1879. 
Waters,  James  Quigley. 

Barren  Hill,  1S65-1867. 
Wa'i  kins,  Horaiki  James. 

Ardmore,  1869-1874. 


register  of  pastors.  367 

Weaver,  George  Peter. 

Berrysburg  Charge,  1S62-1863. 
Annville  and  Hill  Church,  1 863-1864. 
Schuylkill  Haven,  1 864-1 866. 
xMaytown,  1873-1875. 

Weber,  John  Jacob. 

Zion's,  Ashland,  1857-1891. 
Weber,  James  Henry.     D.  D.,  Wittenberg  College,  1891. 

St.  James',  Ashland,  1879- 1887. 

Gordon,  1879-1886. 
Wedekind,  AUGUSTUS  Charles.     D.  D.,  Pennsylvania  College,  1867. 

Zion,  Lebanon,  1850- 1863. 

Hill  Church,  near  A.nnville,  1850- 1853. 

Bellegrove,  i850-(?). 

St.  John's,  Lancaster,  1863-1865. 
Weinland,  John  Frederick. 

St.  Michael's,  Germantown,  1786- 1789. 

Barren  Hill,  1 786-1 789. 

Ardmore,  1 787-1 789. 

Pikeland,  1790-1800. 
Weiser,  Reuben  Benjamin.     D.  D.,  Pennsylvania  College,  1876. 

Mahanoy  City,  1869-1871. 

Minersville,  1 870-1 872. 
Welden,  Christian  Frederick.     U.  D.,  Muhlenburg  College,  1889. 

Springfield,  Durham  and  Nockamixon,  1838-1842. 
Whetstone,  Amos  Moser. 

Millersville  and  Neffsville,  1884-1885. 
Whitecar,  Charles  Pitman. 

Chalfont,  1871-1872. 
Wichterman,  Joseph. 

St.  Paul's,  Allentovvn,  1793. 
Wieting,  Archibald. 

Sandy  Hollow,  1844-1853. 

Middletown   (resident),  1852-1862. 
Wildbahn,  Charles  Frederick. 

Trinity,  Reading,  1782- 1796. 
Wile,  Harry  Bark. 

St.  Peter's,  Easton,    1880- 1885. 
Willard,  Philip. 

Schuylkill  Haven,  1861-1864. 

Pottsville  (Supply),  1862. 

Financial  Agent  Lutheran  Board  of  Publication,  1863-1868. 

Superintendent  Tressler  Orphans'  Home,  Loysvilk  .  1869— 1889. 


368  east  pennsylvania  synod. 

Williams,  John  Rentzle. 

Bethany,  Philadelphia,   1883- 1888. 
Chalfont,  1888. 
WiLLOX,  John  Robert. 

Friesburg,  1 842-1 851. 
Riegelsville  Charge,  1851-1861. 

Wirt,  John  Adam. 

Lykens  and  Williamstown,  187 7-1 883. 
Wordman,  Henry  Burchard  Gakrikl. 

Trinity,  Reading,  1 752-1 753. 

Yeager — See  Jaeger. 

Yeiser,  Alfred. 

Schuylkill  Haven,  1866-1876. 

Yingling,  Samuel. 

St.  John's,  Steelton,  1878-1880. 
Shoop's  Charge,  1878-1881. 

Young,  John  David. 

Manheim,  1 789-1 790. 

Zimmerman,  Amos  K.* 

Union  Deposit  Charge,  1885-1887. 
Zimmerman,  Isaac  Peter. 

Mahanoy  City,  1887-date. 

*Not  a  true  "  Initial,"  but  merely  a  distinctive  letter  adopted  for  convenience. 


INDEX 


CHURCHES  AND  PASTORAL  CHARGES, 


v  ckermanville 238 

Allentown,  St.  Matthew's 291 

Allentown,  St.  Paul's 78 

Allowaystown,  X.  J 49 

All  Saints',  Philadelphia 289 

Annville  Charge 58 

Annville  Church 60 

Ardmore 90 

Ashland,   St.   James' 215 

Ashland,  Zion's 211 

Augsburg,  Harrisburg 130,  308 

Barren  Hill 95 

Bartonsville 89 

Bellegrove 182 

Berbice,  S.  A. 309 

Berrysburg  Charge 136 

Berrysburg  Church 137 

Bethany,  Millersville 245 

Bethany,  Philadelphia 279 

Bethel,  Berbice,  S.  A 322 

Bethesda,  Berbice,  S.  A 322 

Bethlehem,  Harrisburg 13c,  284 

Bowerman's 135 

Brickerville 52 

Bridgeton,  N.J 304 

Brodheadsville 90 

Calvary,  Philadelphia 259 

Carsonville 136 

Centennial,  Kimberton 1 1 6,  1 1 7 


Central,  Phctnixville 116,  271 

Centreville 228 

Chalfont  .   214 

Christ,  Bellegrove 182 

Christ,  Easton 249 

Christ,  Harrisburg 295 

Christ's,  Bridgeton,  N.  J 304 

Christ's,  Hamilton 86 

Christ's,  Springtown 64 

Christ's,  Stone  Church 228 

Coatesville 299 

Cohansey 49 

Columbia,  Salem 1 79 

Columbia,  Second  Street 1 79 

Conshohocken 296 

Dauphin 175 

Dublin,  Upper 69 

Durham 63 

Easton,  Christ 249 

Easton,  St.  John's 248 

Easton,  St.  Paul's 248,  262 

Easton,  St.  Peter's 262 

East  Petersburg  Charge 144 

East  Petersburg  Church 144 

Ebenezer,  Berbice,  S.  A 309 

Emanuel,  Friesburg,  N.J 49 

Emanuel's,  Pottsville 171 

Emanuel's,  Williamstown 253 

English,  Minersville 191 


(  369 


37° 


EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 


English,  Pottsville  ■ 


Fetterhoff's 

First,  Annville 

First,  Shenandoah 

First,  Stewartsville,  N.  j 

Fisherville  Charge 

Fisherville  Church 

Fogelsville 

Forster  Street,  Harrisburg.  --130, 

Friesburg,  N.  J 

Germantown,  St.  Michael's 

Germantovvn,  Trinity 155, 

Gordon 

Grace,  Manheim 

Grace,  Philadelphia 

Greenwich,  N.J 

Hamilton  Charge 

Hamilton  Church 

Harrisburg,  Augsburg 130, 

Harrisburg,  Bethlehem 130, 

Harrisburg,  Christ 1 30, 

Harrisburg,  Memorial 130, 

Harrisburg,Messiah(Forsterst)i30, 

Harrisburg,  Trinity 131, 

Harrisburg,  Zion,  127,  224,256,284, 
Harrisburg  and  Steelton  Ch'ge,l3i, 

Hill,  Annville   

Hill,  Kissel 

Hill,  Sand 

Hoernerstown 

Hummelstown 

Huntersville 


I'AI.E 
171 

133 

60! 
278  j 

197  j 

x32 

135  i 

■154 

224 

49 
155 
156 
272 

145 
247 
104 

86 

86 

308 

284 

295 
256 

i224 

306 
,306 
,3°6 
58 
146 
76 

77 

72 

213 


Immanuel,  Norwood 287 

•136 
.118 


Jacksonville 

Jacob's,  Pine  Grove  Charge.  . 
Jerusalem,  Schuylkill  Haven. 


Killinger 

Kimberton 116, 

Kintnersville  Charge 

Kissel  Hill 


136 
117 

65 
146 


Lafayette  Hill 95 


Lancaster,  St.  John's 201 

Lancaster,  St.  Stephen's 260 

Lancaster,  Trinity 201 

Lebanon,  Salem 1 65 

Lebanon,  Seventh  Street 207 

Lebanon,  Zion 165,  207 

Lionville  Charge 148 

Lionville  Church 116.  149.  150 

Lititz  Charge 146 

Lititz  Church 147 

Londonderry 144 

Lower  Merion 90 

Lower  Mt.  Bethel 236 

Lykens 195 

Lyons  Charge 231 

Lyons  Church 232 

Macungie 233 

Mahanoy  City 241 

Manheim,  Grace 145 

Manheim,  Zion's 110 

Martin's  Creek  Charge 236 

Martin's  Creek,  Mt.  Zion 236 

Martin's  Creek,  Trinity 236 

Maytown 105 

Memorial,  Harrisburg 13c,  256 

Memorial  (Bethany),  Philadelphia.279 

Messiah,  Fisherville 135 

Messiah,  Harrisburg 130,  224 

Messiah,  Philadelphia 238 

Middletown 99 

Milford,  Upper     234 

Millersburg 1 38 

Millersville 245 

Minersville 191 

Minersville  and  Tremont  Charge. .  191 

Mohrsville 234 

Mount  Bethel,  Lower 236 

Mount  Bethel,  Upper 228 

Mount  Carmel,  Berbice,  S.  A 322 

Mount  Eden 276 

Mount  Eton 90 

Mt.  Hermon,  Berbice,  S.  A 322 

Mt.  Lebanon,  Berbice,  S.  A 322 


INDEX   OF    CHURCHES   AND    PASTORAL    CHARGES. 


37  l 


PAGE 

Mt.  Zion,  near  Lebanon 209 

Mt.  Zion,  Martin's  Creek 236 

Neffsvilie 147 

New  Amsterdam,  S.  A 309 

Nockamixon 65 

Northampton  (Allentown)   78 

Norwood 287 

Oberlin 126 

Palmyra  Charge 182 

Palmyra  Church 182 

Philadelphia,  All  Saints' 289 

Philadelphia,  Bethany 279 

Philadelphia,  Calvary 259 

Philadelphia,  Grace 247 

Philadelphia,  Memorial 279 

Philadelphia,  Messiah 238 

Philadelphia,  St.  John's 141 

Philadelphia,St. Matthew's  140,141,238 

Philadelphia,  St.  Michael's 140 

Philadelphia,  Zion's 141 

Phillipsburg,  N.J 104 

Phcenixville 271 

Pikeland  Charge 114 

Pikeland  Church 114 

Pine  Grove  Charge 118 

Pine  Grove,  St.  John's 120 

Pine  Grove,  St.  Peter's 119 

Pleasantville 233 

Pottsville,  Emanuel's 171 

Pottsville,  English 171 

Puff's   69 

Raubsville 189 

Reading,  St.  Matthew's    159 

Reading,  Trinity 159 

Rexmont 57 

Richland 57 

Riegelsville  Charge 184 

Riegelsville  Church - 184 

St.  James',  Ashland 215 

St.  James',  Carsonville 136 

St.  James',  Chalfont 214 

St.  James',  Greenwich,  N.  J.    > ....  104 


St.  Tohn"s,  Barti  msville 89 

St.  John's,  Brickerville 52 

St.  John's,  Easton. 248 

St.  John's,  Fogelsville 1 54 

St.  John's,  Hoernerstown 77 

St.  John's,  Lancaster. 20: 

St.  John's,  Mahanoy  City 241 

St.  John's,  Maytown 105 

St.  John's,  Palmyra 182 

St.  John's,  Philadelphia 141 

St.  John's,  Pine  Grove 1 20 

St.  John's,  Pleasantville 233 

St.  John's,  Steelton. 266 

St.  John's,  Tremont 192 

St.  John's,  Union  Deposit 77 

St.  Mark's,  Conshohocken. 296 

St.  Mark's,  Hamilton  Charge 88 

St.  Mark's,  Steelton 301 

St.  Matthew's,  Allentown 291 

St.Matthew's,Lionville  Charge.  1 16,149 

St.  Matthew's,  Macungie 233 

St.Matthew's,Philadelphia  140,141,238 

St.  Matthew's,  Reading 159 

St.  Matthew's,  Schuylkill  Haven  . .  220 

St.  Michael's,  Germantown 155 

St.  Michael's,  Philadelphia 140 

St.  Paul's,  Allentown 78 

St.  Paul's,  Ardmore 90 

St.  Paul's,  Easton 248,  262 

St.  Paul's,  Fisherville  Charge   135 

St.  Paul's,  Gordon 272 

St.PauPs,Lionville  Charge  116,149,150 

St.  Paul's,  Lititz 147 

St.  Paul's,  Lyons  Station 232 

i  St.  Paul's,  Millersburg 138 

,  St.  Paul's,  Raubsville 189 

St.  Paul's,  Schuylkill  Haven 220 

St.  Paul's,  Steelton 307 

.  St.  Paul's,  Stone  Church   228 

I  St.  Paul's,  Strausstown 235 

St.  Paul's,  Tannersville 88 

St.  Peter's,  Easton 262 

St.  Peter's,  Fisherville  Charge  . .  . . )  33 
St.  Peter  s,  Lafayette  Hill 95 


.u-7 


EAS1     PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 


PAGE 

St.  Peter's,  Middletown 99 

St.  Peter's,  Neffsville 147 

St.  Peter's,  Pikeland 114 

St.  Peter's,  Pine  Grove 119 

St.  Peter's,  Riegelsville 184 

St.  Stephen's,  Lancaster   260 

Salem,  Berrysburg 137 

Salem,  Columbia      1 79 

Salem,  Killinger 136 

Salem,  Kissel  Hill 146 

Salem,  Lebanon 165 

Salem,  Lyons  Charge 234 

Salem's,  Oberlin 126 

Salem's.  Pine  Grove  Charge 1 13 

Sand  Hill 76 

Sandy  Hollow 76 

Schaefferstown  Charge 52 

Schaefferstown  Church    55 

Schuylkill  Haven,  Jerusalem 220 

Schuylkill  Haven,  St.  Matthew's . .  220 

Schuylkill  Haven,  St.  Paul's 220 

Schuylkill  Haven,  White  Church . .  220 

Second  Street,  Columbia 1 79 

Seventh  Street,  Lebanon 207 

Shenandoah 278 

Shoop's  Charge 122 

Shoop's  Church 122 

Springfield 62 

Springtown  Charge 62 

Springtown  Church 64 

Star  of  Bethlehem 1 36 

Steelton,  St.  John's 266 

Steelton,  St.  Mark's 301 

Steelton,  St.  Paul's 307 

Stewartsville,  N.  J 197 

Stone  Church,  Christ's 228 

Stone  Church,  St.  Paul's 228 

Strausstown 235 

Straw's,  Fisherville  Charge 135 

Straw's,  Greenwich,  N.  J 104 

Tannersville 88 

Tinicum,  Upper 65 

Templeman  Chapel 57 

'Fremont 192 


PAGE 

Trinity,  Coatesville 299 

Trinity,  Germantown 15;,  156 

Trinity,  Harrisburg 131,  306 

Trinity,  Lancaster 201 

Trinity,   Londonderry 144 

Trinity,  Martin's  Creek   236 

Trinity,  Reading 159 

Trinity,  Springfield 62 

Uhlersville 189 

Union,  Durham 63 

Union,  Mohrsville 234 

Union,  Nockamixon 65 

Union,  Whitemarsh 66 

Union  Deposit  Charge 76 

Union  Deposit  Church 77 

Upper  Dublin 69 

Upper  Milford 234 

Upper  Mount  Bethel   228 

Upper  Tinicum 65 

Upper  Uwchlan  ...    149 

U  wchlan 1 50 

Uwchlan,  Upper 116,  149 

Vincent,  Zion 148 

Vincent,  West 1 16,  149 

Warwick 52 

Wert's 136 

White  Church, n'r  Schuylkill  Haven220 

Whitemarsh  Charge 66 

Whitemarsh  Church 66 

Williamstown 253 

Zion,  Dauphin 175 

Zion,  Harrisburg 127 

Zion,  Lebanon 165,  207 

Zion,  Lykens 195 

Zion,  Lionville 148 

Zion,  Mount,  near  Lebanon 209 

Zion's,  Ackermanville. 238 

Zion's,  Ashland 211 

Zion's,  East  Petersburg 144 

Zion's  Hummelstown 72 

Zion's,  Manheim no 

Zion's,  Philadelphia 141 

Zion's,  Vincent 148 


CONSTITUTION 


EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN  SYNOD 


EAST  PENNSYLVANIA. 


(Adopted   at    Lancaster,    September,    1892.  ) 
ARTICLE  I. 

NAME,  ORGANIZATION   AND    MEETINGS. 

Section  i.  Name.  The  Name,  Style  and  Title  of  this  Synod  shall  be,  "The 
Evangelical  Lutheran  Synod  of  East  Pennsylvania."  This  Synod  shall  always 
be  in  connection  with  the  General  Synod  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church 
in  the  United  States. 

Sec.  2.  Territory.  The  territory  of  this  Synod  shall  be  defined  in  general 
terms  as  that  part  of  South-eastern  Pennsylvania  between  the  Delaware  and 
Susquehanna  rivers. 

Sec.  3.  Members.  This  Synod  shall  consist  of  all  the  ordained  ministers 
and  licentiates  submitting  to  this  Constitution,  together  with  the  lay  delegates 
from  the  pastorates  within  its  bounds.  Ministers  in  the  general  service  of  the 
church  may  likewise  become  members. 

Sec.  4.  Congregations.  Any  Evangelical  Lutheran  congregation  may  lie- 
come  connected  with  the  Synod,  if  within  its  bounds,  by  acceding  to  the  pro- 
visions of  this  Constitution.  Isolated  congregations  outside  of  its  territory 
may  also  be  admitted  by  special  action  of  the  Synod. 

SEC.  5.  Lay  Delegates.  Each  pastorate  shall  have  the  right  to  send  one  lay 
delegate  to  Synod.  Any  congregation  or  congregations  not  properly  organ- 
ized into  a  pastorale,  or  any  congregation  of  a  pastorate  having  any  matter  to 
present,  may  send  a  commissioner,  who  may  be  heard  in  behalf  of  said  congre- 
gation, but  shall  have  no  vote. 

(373    > 


374  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

fcP'V 

SEC.  6.  Meetings.  The  Synod  shall  meet  annually  at  such  time  and  [dace 
as  may  be  determined,  official  notice  thereof  being  given  at  least  four  weeks 
previous  to  the  time  appointed.  Special  meetings  shall  be  called,  when  re- 
quested by  one-fourth  of  the  ordained  ministers,  at  such  time  and  place  as  the 
President  may  designate,  notice  thereof  being  given  in  the  church  papers  at 
least  three  weeks  previous,  stating  the  object;  and  the  business  shall  be  con- 
fined to  what  is  stated  in  the  call. 

Sec.  7.  Other  Ministers.  Ministers  from  other  Lutheran  -Synods  may  be  in- 
vited to  seats,  but  they  shall  have  no  vote.  Their  names,  when  thus  invited, 
shall  be  entered  on  the  Minutes.  Ministers  in  good  standing  in  other  ortho- 
dox denominations  may  be  introduced  to  Synod. 

Sec.  8.  Quorum.  Two-fifths  of  the  members  of  Synod  shall  constitute  a 
quorum,  provided  that  one-third  of  the  ordained  ministers  of  Synod  be 
present. 

Sec.  9.    Elections.     All  elections  shall  be  by  ballot. 

ARTICLE  II. 

DOCTRINAL    BASIS. 

The  Doctrinal  Basis  shall  be  "  the  Word  of  God,  as  contained  in  the  Canon- 
ical Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  as  the  only  infallible  rule  of 
faith  and  practice,  and  the  Augsburg  Confession  as  a  correct  exhibition  of  the 
fundamental  doctrines  of  the  Divine  Word,  and  of  the  faith  of  our  Church 
founded  upon  that  Word.'" 

ARTICLE  III. 

JURISDICTION. 

Section  i.  Maintaining  Order.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  Synod  to  maintain 
order  and  good  government  among  the  churches  within  its  bounds,  and  to  this 
end  it  shall  see  that  the  rules  of  government  and  discipline  prescribed  in  this 
Constitution  and  in  the  Formula  of  the  General  Synod  are  properly  observed 
by  the  pastors  and  churches  under  its  care. 

Sec.  2.  Promotion  of  Piety.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  Synod  to  devise  and  ex- 
ecute all  suitable  measures  for  the  promotion  of  piety  and  the  general  prosper- 
ity of  the  Church,  and  to  provide  supplies  for  destitute  congregations. 

Sec.  3.  Forming  Pastorates.  It  shall  have  power  to  form  and  change  pas- 
torates, paying  due  regard  to  the  rights  and  wishes  of  congregations.  (See 
Art.  VI.) 

Sec.  4.  Exclusion.  It  shall  have  power  to  exclude  from  Svnodical  fellow- 
ship any  congregation  obstinately  refusing  to  comply  with  the  regulations  and 
decisions  of  Synod,  and  no  congregation  thus  excluded  shall  be  served  by  any 
minister  belonging  to  Synod,  except  by  special  permission  of  Synod  or  of  the 
President. 

Sec.  5.  Appeals.  It  shall  receive  appeals  from  the  decisions  of  Church 
Councils  and  Conferences,  when  regularly  brought  before  it,  and  shall  review 
the  proceedings  and   decisions  to  which  they  refer,  and  sha'l  have  full  power 


CONSTITUTION.  375 

to  affirm  or  reverse  the  same,  or  to  determine  the  questions  presented  thereby. 
Notice  of  such  appeals  must  be  given  to  the  Council  or  Conference  by  the  ap- 
pellant, with  the  reasons  in  full,  within  three  weeks  after  the  time  when  the 
decision  was  rendered,  and  a  full  record  of  the  case  must  be  furnished  the 
Synod  by  the  Council  or  Conference.  Upon  the  filing  of  such  notice  by  the 
appellant,  as  above  provided  for,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Clerk  or  Secretary 
of  such  Church  Council  or  Conference,  within  ten  days  thereafter,  to  make  out 
a  complete  record  of  the  case,  with  the  findings  thereon,  and  transmit  it  with 
the  original  papers  to  the  Clerk  or  Secretary  of  the  body  to  which  such  appeal 
may  be  taken. 

Sec.  6.  Citing  Witnesses.  It  may  cite  church  members  to  appear  and  give 
testimony,  and  may  endeavor  to  obtain  other  witnesses  if  the  case  require  it. 

Sec.  7.  Charges  against  Ministers.  It  shall  have  power  to  examine  and 
decide  all  charges  against  ministers  and  licentiates,  except  such  as  may  be 
otherwise  specially  provided  for  by  this  Constitution. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

OFFICERS    OF    SYNOD. 

Section  i.  Officers.  The  officers  of  Synod  shall  be  a  President,  Secretary 
and  Treasurer,  who  shall  be  elected  annually  from  among  the  ordained  minis- 
ters, and  who  shall  also  be  the  officers  of  the  Ministerium.  The  same  persons 
shall  not  be  eligible  for  more  than  three  successive  years. 

Sec.  2.  President.  [1]  He  shall  preside  at  all  meetings  of  the  Synod,  de- 
cide questions  of  order,  subject  to  an  appeal,  and  discharge  all  the  duties  usu- 
ally devolving  on  the  presiding  officer  of  such  a  body. 

[2]  He  shall  appoint  all  committees  not  specially  named  or  elected  by 
Synod. 

[3]  He  shall,  after  the  Synod  is  duly  constituted  by  enrolling  the  names  of 
the  members,  present  a  written  report  of  all  his  official  acts  during  the  Synod- 
ical  year,  and  may  present  such  additional  statements  and  recommendations, 
as  in  his  judgment  should  claim  the  attention  of  Synod.  The  report  shall  be 
dealt  with  as  other  papers  belonging  to  Synod. 

[4]  He  shall  deliver  a  discourse  at  the  opening  of  each  annual  meeting  of 
Synod,  or  appoint  a  substitute;  and  shall,  in  connection  with  the  pastor  of  the 
church,  have  direction  of  the  religious  services  during  Synod,  and  the  appoint- 
ment of  persons  to  preach;  unless  Synod  shall  appoint  a  special  committee  on 
religious  services,  of  which  he  and  the  pastor  shall  be  members. 

[5]  He  shall  give  advice  to  members  of  Synod  and  congregations  when 
requested,  or  when  in  his  judgment  such  advice  is  needed. 

[6]  Should  he  become  disqualified  for  the  discharge  of  his  duties,  by  re- 
moval from  the  Synodical  bounds,  resignation,  sickness,  death,  or  any  cause, 
the  Secretary  shall  succeed  him  and  discharge  the  duties  of  the  office  until  the 
next  meeting  of  Synod. 


376  FAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

[7]  He  shall,  with  the  Secretary,  subscribe  all  official  documents  of  the 
Synod,  and  sign  all  orders  on  the  Treasury. 

[8]  He  shall  perform  the  ceremony  of  ordination,  assisted  by  the  Secretary 
and  Treasurer,  and  give  to  approved  candidates  letters  of  license,  which,  as 
well  as  certificates  of  ordination,  he  is  to  subscribe  with   his  official  signature. 

[9]  He  has  authority  to  refer  the  adjustment  of  all  matters  requiring  his 
decision  in  congregations  to  their  respective  Conferences,  or  in  their  interim  to 
the  Presidents  thereof.     A  report  of  the  proceedings  shall  be  made  to  him. 

[10]  He  has  authority  to  summon  a  meeting  of  the  Church  Council  of  any 
congregation  or  a  congregational  meeting,  at  the  request  of  at  least  one-fourth 
of  its  electors,  when  the  proper  officers  refuse  to  call  it. 

Sec.  3.  Secretary :  [1]  He  shall  keep  an  accurate  and  faithful  record  of  all 
the  proceedings  of  Synod,  carefully  preserve  all  the  papers,  seal,  etc.,  of  the 
Synod,  subject  to  its  direction,  and  shall  do  all  the  official  writing  not  other- 
wise provided  for. 

[2]  He  shall  give  notice  (either  by  circular  or  in  the  church  papers)  of  the 
time  and  place  of  the  Synodical  meeting,  at  least  four  weeks  previous  to  the 
time  appointed. 

[3]  He  shall  keep  a  register  of  the  names  of  all  the  ministers  and  licen- 
tiates, arranged  according  to  their  age  in  office,  and  also  of  all  the  congrega- 
tions. 

[4]  He  shall  receive  all  moneys,  keep  an  account  thereof  and  give  receipts, 
pay  over  the  same  semi-monthly  to  the  Treasurer  and  take  his  receipt  therefor. 
He  shall  give  a  bond  for  the  faithful  performance  of  his  duties,  the  cost  of  the 
same  to  be  paid  by  the  Synod. 

[5]  If  the  business  should  render  it  necessary,  the  President  may  appoint 
an  Assistant  Secretary,  whose  office  shall  expire  at  the  close  of  the  meeting  of 
Synod. 

[6]  Should  he  become  disqualified  for  the  discharge  of  his  duties,  the  Presi- 
dent shall  require  all  the  property  of  Synod  in  his  possession,  to  be  delivered 
to  him,  and  shall  appoint  a  Secretary  to  act  until  the  meeting  of  Synod. 

Sec.  4.  Treasurer.  [1]  He  shall  receive  from  the  Secretary  all  moneys,  and 
hold  them,  together  with  all  bonds,  certificates  and  documents,  subject  to  the 
order  of  the  Synod. 

[2]  He  shall  keep,  and  present  at  each  annual  meeting  of  Synod,  a  detailed 
and  faithful  account  of  the  state  of  the  Treasury.  He  shall  give  a  bond  for 
the  faithful  performance  of  the  duties  of  his  office,  the  cost  of  the  same  to  be 
paid  by  the  Synod. 

[3]  Should  he  become  disqualified  for  the  discharge  of  his  duties,  the  Presi- 
dent shall  take  charge  of  all  the  moneys,  certificates,  bonds,  etc.,  belonging  to 
Synod,  and  retain  them  until  a  Treasurer  is  elected  at  the  next  meeting  of 
Synod. 

Sec.  5.  In  the  interim  of  the  meetings  of  Synod,  the  administration  of  its 
affairs  shall   be  entrusted   to   its   officers,  whose  action   shall   be  authoritative 


CONSTITUTION.  37  7 

and   binding  upon    all  parties  owing  allegiance   thereto,  subject,  however,  to 
appeal  at  the  next  ensuing  meeting  of  Synod. 

ARTICLE  V. 

MIMSTI  KS. 

SECTION  I.  Pastoral  Interference.  No  minister  or  licentiate  shall  preach 
or  perform  other  ministerial  acts  in  the  pastorate  of  another  except  by  his  con- 
sent, or,  in  his  absence,  by  that  of  the  Church  Council. 

Sec.  2.  Dismission.  Any  minister  or  licentiate,  in  good  standing,  who  re- 
moves into  the  bounds  of  another  Synod,  shall,  on  application  to  the  Presi- 
dent, receive  a  certificate  of  honorable  dismission,  and  such  a  certificate  shall 
be  required  by  the  Synod  of  those  applying  for  admission  into  it. 

SeC.  3.  Admission.  Any  minister  or  licentiate  of  any  Synod  belonging  to 
the  General  Synod,  called  to  any  of  our  churches,  shall  present  to  our  Presi- 
dent a  letter  of  honorable  dismission  within  one  month  from  the  date  of  tak- 
ing charge;  and  upon  so  doing  shall  be  regarded  as  a  member  of  this  body 
and  under  its  jurisdiction.  In  the  case  of  a  licentiate,  his  ordination  shall  be 
performed  by  this  Synod,  unless  for  satisfactory  reasons  the  President  shall 
determine  otherwise. 

SEC.  4.  Reception  of  Ministers  from  other  Ecclesiastical  Bodies.  Ministers 
from  other  ecclesiastical  bodies  can  only  be  received  by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the 
Mmisterium,  upon  recommendation  of  the  Examining  Committee,  and  by 
publicly  subscribing  to  the  doctrinal  basis  of  the  Synod. 

Sec.  5.  Notice  to  the  President.  Any  minister  resigning  or  accepting  a  pas- 
torate shall  give  due  notice  thereof  to  the  President. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

congregations  ami  pastorates. 

SECTION  i.  The  Council  of  a  congregation,  or  the  Joint  Council  of  a  charge, 
may  consider  and  act  on  the  resignation  of  a  pastor. 

Sec.  2.  A  pastor  cannot  resign  a  portion  of  his  pastorate  and  continue  to 
serve  the  remaining  part,  without  consent  of  the  Joint  Council  and  the  ap- 
proval of  the  President  of  Synod. 

Sec.  3.  No  congregation  or  congregations  shall  withdraw  from  the  pastor- 
ate with  which  it  is  connected,  without  the  consent  of  the  Joint  Council  and 
the  approval  of  the  President  of  Synod. 

Sec.  4.  If  any  members  of  the  congregation  desire  for  good  cause  to  organ- 
ize themselves  into  a  new  congregation,  they  must  first  be  dismissed  for  that 
purpose,  and  any  organisation  formed  without  such  dismission  shall  be  re- 
garded irregular,  and  any  minister  of  the  General  Synod  participating  in  such 
organization  shall  make  himself  liable  to  charges. 

Sec.  5.  No  congregation  shall  make  any  enactments  in  conflict  with  this 
Constitution  or  with  the  Formula  of  Government. 


37^  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

SEC.  6.  Any  vacant  congregation  in  arrears  to  a  former  pastor  shall  be  re- 
quired to  make  satisfactory  adjustment  thereof  before  calling  a  successor. 

SEC.  7.  Vacant  congregations  shall  report  to  the  President  of  Synod  at 
once,  and  are  requested  to  confer  with  him  with  a  view  to  being  supplied  with 
a  pastor  as  soon  as  possible. 

ARTICLE  VII. 
EDIvai  11  r:. 

SECTION,  i.  Education  Committee.  There  shall  bean  Education  Committee 
of  five,  at  least  three  of  whom  shall  be  ordained  ministers,  to  which  all  appli- 
cations for  beneficiary  aid  shall  be  made,  and  who  shall  obtain  from  the  in- 
structors of  beneficiaries  the  official  report  annually  of  their  scholarship  and 
deportment,  and  who  shall  make  a  detailed  statement  to  the  Synod  annually. 

Sec.  2.  Qualifications  of  Applicants.  The  applicant  shall  have  been  a 
member  of  the  Lutheran  Church  for  at  least  one  year,  and  must  be  qualified 
to  enter  the  Freshman  class  in  Pennsylvania  College.  He  shall,  if  deemed  ne- 
cessary, submit  to  a  physical  examination,  and  give  evidence  of  industry,  intel- 
lectual endowment,  piety,  and  a  call  to  the  ministry. 

Sec.  3,  Obligations.  Every  beneficiary  shall  be  required  to  take  a  full 
course  in  college  and  seminary,  unless  otherwise  permitted  by  Synod,  or  by 
consent  of  the  Committee.  He  shall  be  required  to  give  promissory  notes  to 
the  Treasurer  of  Synod  for  the  amounts  received  by  him,  which  notes  shall  be 
canceled  when  he  shall  have  been  in  the  ministry  three  years,  provided  he  is 
in  connection  with  some  Synod  belonging  to  the  General  Synod. 

ARTICLE    VIII. 

DELEGATES. 

SECTION  i.  Delegates  to  General  Synod.  In  the  election  of  delegates  to 
the  General  Synod,  principals  shall  be  first  balloted  for,  and  afterward  alter- 
nates; and  after  the  second  ballot  the  persons  having  the  lowest  number  ot 
votes  shall  be  dropped.  No  clerical  member  shall  be  eligible  more  than 
twice  in  succession,  unless  he  be  President  or  Secretary  of  the  General 
Synod.  When  a  delegate-elect  shall  remove  beyond  the  bounds  of  the 
Synod,  before  the  meeting  of  the  General  Synod,  he  shall  not  be  entitled  to 
represent  the  Synod,  provided  always,  that  ministers  in  the  general  service  of 
the  Church  shall  be  exempt  from  this  rule. 

Sec.  2.  Directors  of  the  Theological  Seminary.  This  Synod  shall  elect  the 
required  number  of  Directors  of  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Gettysburg,  for  a 
term  of  five  years,  who  are  expected  to  be  constant  and  faithful  in  attendance 
upon  the  meetings  of  the  Board. 

ARTICLE    IX. 
O  INFERENCES. 
SECTION  i.    The  Synod  shall   divide  itself  into  Conference  Districts  for  the 
purpose  of  holding  Conference  meetings. 


CONSTITUTION.  379 

Sec.  2.  The  chief  object  of  such  meetings  shall  be  the  preaching  of  the 
Word,  mutual  consultation  and  encouragement  in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  the 
promotion  of  the  cause  of  religion  among  the  churches  represented,  and  the 
fuller  development  of  the  possibilities  of  the  district. 

SEC.  3.  Conferences  shall  be  entrusted  with  the  organization  of  new 
churches,  the  supply  of  vacant  congregations  with  preaching,  the  formation 
and  maintenance  of  pastorates. 

Sec.  4.  The  records  of  the  proceedings  of  Conferences  shall  be  submitted 
to  Synod  for  examination  and  review,  and  an  abstract  thereof  read  by  their 
Secretaries  at  the  meeting  of  Synod. 

ARTICLE  X. 
PROCESS   AGAINST   A    MINISTER. 

SECTION  i.  As  the  honor  and  success  of  the  Gospel  depend  very  much  on 
the  character  of  its  ministers,  Synod  ought  to  guard  with  the  utmost  care  and 
impartiality  the  conduct  of  its  members. 

Sec.  2.  All  Christians  should  be  very  cautious  in  giving  credit  or  circulation 
to  an  evil  report  of  any  member  of  the  church,  and  especially  of  a  minister  of 
the  Gospel.  If  any  member  knows  a  minister  to  be  guilty  of  a  private  censur- 
able fault,  he  should  warn  him  in  private;  if  this  prove  fruitless,  he  should 
apply  to  the  Church  Council,  who  shall  proceed  as  specified  in  Chap.  III., 
Sec.  5,  of  Formula  of  Government. 

Sec.  3.  If  accusation  be  lodged,  according  to  Chap.  III.,  Sec.  5,  with  the 
President  within  two  months  of  the  next  Synodical  meeting,  he  shall  defer  the 
matter  to  said  meeting;  yet,  if  the  charge  be  one  of  gross  immorality,  or  circu- 
lating fundamental  error  in  doctrine,  he  shall  immediately  direct  the  accused 
to  suspend  all  his  ministerial  duties  until  his  case  is  decided.  If  such  accusa- 
tion be  lodged  with  the  President  at  an  earlier  date,  he  shall,  if  the  charge  be 
one  of  gross  immorality,  or  circulating  fundamental  error  in  doctrine,  im- 
mediately appoint  a  committee  of  five  ordained  ministers  of  the  Synod,  to 
meet  without  unnecessary  delay  at  a  suitable  place,  and  institute  a  formal  in- 
vestigation of  the  case,  according  to  the  principles  of  the  Formula.  The 
chairman  of  the  committee  shall  give  at  least  ten  days'  notice  of  the  time  and 
place  of  meeting  to  all  parties  concerned. 

Sec.  4.  The  President  may,  at  his  discretion,  intrust  the  matter  to  Confer- 
ence, and  notify  the  members  to  meet  and  proceed  as  above. 

Sec.  5.  Any  three  members  of  the  committee,  or  a  majority  of  the  Con- 
ference thus  meeting,  shall  have  power  to  proceed  and  hold  a  fair  and  impar- 
tial investigation  of  the  case,  and  to  take  all  such  necessary  measures  as  may 
be  just  and  proper  to  determine  the  guilt  or  innocence  of  the  accused. 

Sec  6.  If  the  accused  confess,  and  the  matter  be  such  as  gross  immorality, 
or  circulating  fundamental  error,  he  shall  be  immediately  suspended  from  the 
exercise  of  the  office  until  the  meeting  of  Synod. 

Sec.  7.  If  a  minister  accused  of  gross  offences,  being  duly  notified,  refuses 
to  attend  the  investigation,  he  shall  be  immediately  suspended  from  office. 


380  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

Sec.  8.  If  the  accused  deny  the  charge,  and  yet,  on  examination  of  the  evi- 
dence, be  found  guilty,  the  committee  or  Conference  shall  nevertheless  proceed 
to  pass  sentence  on  him. 

SEC.  9.  The  highest  punishment  which  can  be  inflicted  by  a  committee  or 
special  Conference,  appointed  as  above  specified,  is  suspension  from  clerical 
functions;  and  this  sentence  is  to  be  reported  at  the  next  meeting  of  the 
Synod,  and  remain  in  force  until  reversed  by  the  Synod. 

Sec.  IO.  Any  minister  intending  to  appeal  from  the  decision  of  a  com- 
mittee or  Conference,  shall  give  notice  to  the  chairman  of  the  committee  or 
Conference,  within  three  weeks  after  the  decision  was  made,  that  both  parties 
may  be  prepared  for  a  new  trial. 

SEC.  11.  Conferences,  not  specially  convened  for  the  purpose,  may  attend 
to  any  charges  of  importance  against  a  minister  within  their  bounds,  if  all  the 
parties  concerned  are  prepared  and  willing  to  proceed. 

Sec.  12.  If  at  any  time  the  accusation  be  lodged  with  the  President,  accord- 
ing to  Chap.  III.,  Sec.  5,  for  a  less  offence  than  those  specified  in  Sec.  3  of  this 
Article,  he  shall  take  no  other  steps  in  the  case  than  to  exhort  accused  and 
accusers  to  mutual  forbearance,  and  to  refer  them  to  the  next  Synod. 

Sec.  13.  If  accusation  against  a  minister,  present  or  absent,  be  made  imme- 
diately to  the  Synod,  and  the  Synod  believe  itself  in  possession  of  all  the  evi- 
dence necessary  to  a  just  decision,  the  case  may  be  immediately  examined 
and  sentence  passed,  provided  the  accused  shall  have  had  fifteen  days'  notice, 
together  with  a  written  specification  of  the  charges  brought  against  him.  But 
if  the  necessary  evidence  be  not  before  Synod,  and  the  offense  be  such  as 
specified  in  Sec.  3,  it  shall  be  intrusted  to  a  committee  or  Conference,  to  pro- 
ceed as  above  specified. 

Sec.  14.  If  a  minister  be  found  guilty  of  gross  immorality  or  circulating  fun- 
damental error  in  doctrine,  his  sentence  of  suspension  shall  not  be  removed 
until  he  shall  give  satisfactory  evidence  of  penitence  and  reformation,  and  his 
restoration  shall  be  by  the  same  judicatory  which  suspended  him,  or  at  its 
recommendation. 

Sec.  15.  If  the  common  report  of  a  minister's  guilt  of  any  of  the  charges 
above  specified  be  such  as  seriously  to  injure  the  cause  of  religion,  and  his 
own  church  do  not  proceed  against  him,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  any  other 
minister  or  layman,  having  obtained  signatures  of  two  other  credible  men.  to 
report  the  case  to  the  President. 

ARTICLE  XI. 

MINISTERIUM. 

SECTION  i.  The  Ministerium  is  composed  of  the  ordained  ministers  o( 
Synod. 

Sec.  2.  Licensed  candidates  may  be  present,  unless  requested  to  withdraw, 
and  may  take  part  in  the  discussions,  but  have  no  vote. 

SEC.  3.  The  Ministerium   shall  be  the   proper   body,  by  whom   all   charges 


CONSTITUTION.  301 

of  heresy  against  a  minister  are  to  be  examined  and  decided;  as  also  all  ap- 
peals from  the  decision  of  a  church  council  on  a  charge  of  heresy  against 
a  layman,  or  from  the  decision  of  a  special  Conference  on  a  similar  charge 
against  a  minister. 

SEC.  4.  When  ordained  ministers  of  other  religious  denominations  make 
application  for  admission  into  connection  with  the  Synod,  the  Ministerium 
shall  be  the  body  to  decide  on  the  case. 

SEC.  5.  A  two-thirds  vote  of  the  ordained  ministers  present  shall  be  re- 
quired for  the  licensure  of  an  applicant,  the  renewal  of  his  license,  the  ordi- 
nation of  a  licensed  candidate,  or  for  the  admission  of  an  ordained  minister 
of  another  denomination. 

Sec.  6.  All  business  not  specifically  entrusted  to  the  Ministerium  in  this 
Constitution,  shall  belong  to  the  Synod. 

Sec.  7.  The  order  of  business  of  the  Ministerium  may  be  as  follows : 

( 1 )  Opening  with  prayer. 

(2)  Communication  by  the   President  of  any  business  he  may  have  to 
report. 

(  3 )   Presentation  of  names  of  applicants  for  Licensure. 

(4)  Presentation  of  applications  for  Ordination. 

(5)  Presentation  of  applications  for  admission  of  ministers  from   other 
denominations. 

(6)  Reports  of  Examining  or  other  Committees  appointed  by  the  Minis- 
terium. 

(7)  Promiscuous  business  relating  to  the  ministry. 

(8)  Closing  with  prayer. 

ARTICLE  XII. 

LICENSURE   AND    LICENTIATES. 

SECTION  i.  All  applications  for  licensure   must   be  made   to  the  President 

of  Synod. 

Skc.  2.  Applicants  must  appear  before  the  Examining  Committee,  which 
must  always  be  composed  of  ordained  ministers,  and,  upon  satisfactory  evi- 
dence of  fitness  by  testimonials  from  the  Faculty  of  a  Lutheran  Theological 
Seminary  of  the  General  Synod,  may  be  recommended  to  the  Ministerium 
for  licensure  without  further  examination.  Cases  not  covered  by  the  forego- 
ing rule  must  be  referred  by  the  President  to  the  Ministerium  for  special 
action. 

SEC.  3.  A  licentiate  shall  have  power  to  perform  all  ministerial  acts  during 
the  time  specified  in  his  license. 

Sec  4.  A  licentiate  shall  have  the  same  rights  and  privileges  in  Synod  as 
ordained  ministers,  except  to  hold  office. 

Skc.  5.  A  licentiate  before  accepting  a  call  must  obtain  the  consent  of  the 
President  of  Synod. 


382  EAST    PENNSYLVANIA    SYNOD. 

Sec.  6.  A  licentiate,  after  he  has  taken  a  charge,  shall  not  leave  it  without 
the  sanction  of  the  Synod,  or  of  the  President. 

Sec.  7.  All  licenses  shall  extend  to  the  time  of  the  next  annual  meeting  of 
the  Ministerium. 

Sec.  8.  Every  licentiate  must  keep  a  journal  of  his  ministerial  acts,  which, 
with  a  few  sermons  and  his  certificate  of  licensure,  he  must  deliver  to  the 
President  annually  at  the  opening  ct  Synod  for  the  inspection  of  the  Minis- 
terium. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 
ORDINATION. 

SECTION  i.  All  applicants  for  ordination  must  appear  before  the  Examin- 
ing Committee  and  submit  to  a  thorough  examination  in  at  least  the  following 
subjects  :  Personal  Piety,  and  the  motives  of  the  applicant  for  seeking  the  holy 
office,  Hebrew,  New  Testament  Greek,  English  Bible,  the  Evidences  of 
Christianity,  Natural  and  Revealed  Theology,  Church  Plistory,  the  Augsburg 
Confession,  Pastoral  Theology,  Homiletics  and  Church  Government,  and  shall 
be  recommended  to  the  Synod  for  ordination  upon  favorable  report  of  the 
Committee  and  by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  Ministerium. 

Sec.  2.  Whenever  the  Synod  has  decided  that  an  individual  shall  be  or- 
dained, the  ceremony  may  be  performed  either  at  the  meeting  cf  Synod,  or,  if 
preferred,  in  the  church  by  which  he  has  been  called,  by  the  special  Confer- 
ence, or  by  a  Committee  appointed  for  the  purpose  by  the  President  of  Synod. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 

INSTALLATION. 

Section  i.  When  a  minister  is  ordained  in  his  own  church,  his  installation, 
according  to  the  usual  form,  should  take  place  at  the  same  service. 

Sec.  2.  Any  minister  called  to  labor  in  any  of  the  congregations  of  this 
Synod,  and  duly  accredited  according  to  Sec.  3,  Art.  V.,  may  at  any  time  after 
the  presentation  and  acceptance  of  his  credentials  be  installed  as  pastor  by  a 
committee  appointed  by  the  President. 

ARTICLE  XV. 

AMENDMENTS. 
This  Constitution  may  be  altered  or  amended  by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the 
Synod,  provided  notice  has  been  given  one  year  previous. 

ARTICLE  XVI. 

ORDER    OF   BUSINESS. 
/.    General   Order. 

1.  Opening  Prayer. 

2.  Calling  of  the  Roll. 

3.  Reading  of  the  Minutes. 

4.  Unfinished  Business. 


CONSTITUTION.  383 

5.  Reports. 

6.  New  Business. 

7.  ("losing  Prayer. 

//.   Sped  at  Order. 

1.  Wednesday  evening — Opening  Sermon  and  Synodical  Communion. 

2.  Thursday,  9  a.  m. — Opening  of  Synod,  with  Singing,  Reading  of  Scrip- 
tures and  Prayer.  Calling  the  Roll.  Presentation  of  Certificates  by  Lay- 
Delegates.  Presentation  of  Credentials  by  Commissioners.  Reception  of 
New  Members.  President's  Report.  Election  of  Officers.  Rules  of  ( >rder. 
Annual  Reports  of  Conference  Secretaries. 

3.  Thursday,  p.  m. — Appointment  of  Committees.  Admission  of  Applicants 
for  Licensure  and  Ordination.     Vacant  for  Committee  Work. 

4.  Thursday  evening — Sermon.     Church  Extension. 

5.  Friday,  a.m. — Report  of  Treasurer.     Education. 

6.  Friday,  p.  m. — Theological  and  Literary  Institutions.  Vacant  for  Com- 
mittee Work  after  3.30. 

7.  Friday  evening — Sermon.     Education. 

8.  Saturday,  a.  m. — Parochial  Reports. 

9.  Saturday,  p.  m. — Publication.  Systematic  Benevolence.  Meeting  of 
Ministerium. 

10.  Saturday  evening — Religious  Services. 

11.  Sunday,  a.m. — Preaching. 

12.  Sunday,  p.  m. — Sunday-school  Service. 

13.  Sunday  evening — Sermon. 

14.  Monday,  a.  m. — -Home  Missions.  Church  Extension.  Vacant  Congre- 
gations. 

15.  Monday,  p.  m. — Foreign  Missions.     Orphans'  Home. 

16.  Monday  evening — Sermons.     Missions. 

17.  Tuesday,  a.  m. — Sunday-schools. 

18.  Tuesday,  p.  m. — Ministerium.     Appointment  of  Speakers. 

19.  Tuesday  evening — Licensure  and  Ordination. 


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